"The Conjuring 4": The Most Horrific Film in the Franchise - In the Worst Way - and a Shameful End to the Warrens' Story

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"The Conjuring: The Last Rites" became one of the highest-grossing horror films in history in early September — $187 million in its opening weekend!

You'd think this would be it — the long-awaited finale of the beloved franchise. But for me, this turned out to be the worst ending they could have possibly dreamed up. No horror, no climax — just boring scares with more family drama than actual fear.

A plot that promised more than it delivered

The story unfolds in 1986: Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) arrive in Pennsylvania to investigate terrifying events at the Sverl family home.

On paper — great setup, promising to "wrap up" the entire universe, including the Annabelle and Nun storylines. But ultimately, most of the screen time goes to the Warrens' personal struggles, while the horror becomes background flickers of mirrors, shadows, and a couple of obligatory jump scares.

Where's the horror in this thing?

The main problem — there's no fear. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes (57% fresh) and viewers on IMDb (6.5) agree: the film just doesn't scare. Supernatural entities show up for show, the plot drags for hours, and the "scariest" scenes were already spoiled in the trailers.
The Conjuring: Last Rites trailer
At some point, you get the feeling the filmmakers forgot they were making a horror movie, not a drama about a family working through their issues.

Critics aren't holding back

  • San Francisco Chronicle: "The film drags for an hour and twenty minutes before the characters even enter the house. This story could've been told in 25 minutes."
  • The A.V. Club: "The franchise has officially become the Fast & Furious of horror: out of ideas but sticking to familiar clichés."
  • Movie Nation: "Wilson and Farmiga are still trying, but the franchise has run its course."
And there are dozens more like these. Sure, there are some positive reviews, but it feels like they're being polite rather than genuinely excited.

Comparing it to previous entries

Remember "The Conjuring 2," where James Wan made Valak one of the scariest villains of the decade? Every scene was crafted to perfection, and the fear came from atmosphere and tension.
A frightened man and woman stand against a black background with a red crucifix in front
The Conjuring: Last Rites poster
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In "Last Rites," it's the complete opposite: choppy plot, flat characters, and a finale that tries to play "The Exorcist" without Friedkin's talent or energy.

How did this happen?

Director Michael Chaves bet on special effects and cookie-cutter techniques instead of ideas and atmosphere. The result is a film that's both boring and ridiculous. Even the love story between Ed and Lorraine, which was always the heart of the series, feels pale here. This isn't a climax — it's more like an epilogue written out of habit.

"The Conjuring: Last Rites" is a finale this franchise definitely didn't deserve. There's no tension, no charismatic antagonist, not even a sense that the story is truly complete. It feels more like a tired attempt to squeeze a little more money out of a famous name.

If you want to really remember why we fell in love with The Conjuring, just rewatch the first or second film. "Last Rites" will remain an example of how you can loudly close out a franchise — while saying absolutely nothing. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we explained why we find it hilarious to watch 2025's highest-rated horror film "Weapons."