The Conjuring: Last Rites releases in theaters this weekend. It is the fourth entry in The Conjuring films, the ninth entry in the overall universe, and the final installment of the first phase of the universe. Directed by Michael Chaves, the film stars Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, and Ben Hardy. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.

It still feels like yesterday when I saw the trailer for the first Conjuring film. It went on to be one of my favorite horror movies due to how unsettling it was. For context, it was only rated R due to how terrifying it was. Since then, the franchise has been on a roller coaster of quality between the main films and all the spin-off’s; however, I’d argue that the franchise has gotten better lately. With news that this would be the last entry including Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga, I was intrigued by what would come of it. Ultimately, I am disappointed. Knowing now that this is the ending of first phase, I am annoyed. Due to the box office numbers at the moment, this franchise will continue on indefinitely.

The first Conjuring film premiered in 2013, meaning Wilson & Farmiga have been playing these parts for at least a decade. Their contributions to their respective characters will solidify these characters as classics and will go on to be remembered throughout film history. As these actors do get older, you can tell where they probably voiced that they were ready wrap it up and give these characters closure. Wilson’s character as Ed even mentions that they worked at least a thousand cases. You can’t have a thousand of these movies. Since the two actors are giving closure to these characters, you can tell how much it means to them.

Alongside them is their daughter, Judy, played by Mia Tomlinson, who gives a great performance with what she is given. The emotion she evokes throughout the film helps carry the film. Tomlinson plays as someone who is haunted by what her mother carried down to her. You can see a strong resemblance between mother and daughter based on how much they want to help people. It’s through Judy that the film does find proper closure that I think will satisfy fans, no matter if they like this film or not. The last five minutes alone is a true love letter to everything that came before, which makes it annoying knowing that this isn’t the end of the franchise. Just because Marvel did phases doesn’t mean a horror franchise like this should do the same.

Michael Chaves returns after his work on the third installment. Truthfully, after The Curse of La Llorona, I am surprised Chaves continues to have such an impact on the franchise. While he seems to have a good working relationship with everyone involved in this film, it also feels like Chaves treats this more like a job more than anything else. Why James Wan didn’t return is sort of beyond me since he has made sequels before. Had Wan returned, I think the film could have had better closure than what we got, which is essentially just one big slow burn before a ridiculous and eye-rolling third act.

There is simply far too much buildup. While I don’t mind slow buildup in a horror film as it gets under your skin, you barely get any of that here. The premise relies heavily on this being the case that ended the Warrens as we know them, although none of it feels as threatening as it could be. As the film shows some horror being shown to another family, we get awkward bits of unrealistic dialogue & actions between characters. We even get a scene where characters play ping pong, because that was clearly important. There’s so much added to the film that is far too overstuffed. I was already feeling bitter about the long runtime. Instead, the runtime only stretches itself out to give more of a film to fans who may enjoy it more. I would have taken at least 30 minutes of the film out and made it more of a threatening thriller in the vein of the first two Conjuring movies.

The film has a few jump scares here and there, but it’s also nowhere near as unsettling as what it could have been. The horror aspect itself feels tired out, cliched, and ultimately does nothing new in the end. The way characters react to certain scenarios had me audibly laugh. When characters are acting in such a manner, it’s impossible to feel like we can connect with any of them outside of Ed & Lorraine. The family getting haunted doesn’t even come across as being haunted. We get a few glimpses as to what happens to them, but then the characters nearly forget about it a second later.

Horror films tend to lean into the horror within the third act. The problem here is that the buildup didn’t feel terrifying enough. While viewers may get something out of the third act, I would argue that it does nothing new or interesting. Where the earlier films in this franchise focuses on practicality, this one leans more and more into the implausible. The haunted demons and their motives doesn’t much sense and they’re nowhere near as terrifying as they could be.

Overall, The Conjuring: Last Rites may be a solid send-off for two iconic characters; however, the long runtime, lack of scares, and character implausibility leaves so much to be desired. I think if James Wan, the guy that created this, came back to direct it could have created something special. Maybe my expectations were too high. You can just tell this franchise is running on empty and needs to wrap it up. I can’t see this franchise lasting much longer without Wilson & Farmiga. Now I understand why people have lost interested in the Marvel franchise. If you lose your most iconic & important characters, then who cares?

I’ll still give the film credit for giving us one of the best & most unique posters of the year.

VERDICT: 2/5 (Bad)