The Conjuring: Last Rites was released in theaters on September 5, marking a conclusion to the horror franchise created by James Wan in 2013. Reviews tease an epic finale for the saga, which is also responsible for introducing audiences to the killer doll Annabelle and an infamous demonic nun. While the film centers around a new “villain,” main characters Ed and Lorraine Warren are there to remind viewers which corner of the Conjuring Universe the film is set in. Last Rites may also feel like a return to The Conjuring’s roots, something director Michael Chaves says he fully went for. As he put it, “I just wanted to return to basics.”
Directed by Chaves from a script by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, The Conjuring: Last Rites follows the Warrens as they help their new clients the Smurl family confront a demonic entity. Chaves, who also directed The Nun II and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (the third entry in the main Conjuring series), spoke with Games Radar about the latest installment in the horror franchise:
“I love that we took a big swing with, kind of doing more of a thriller, supernatural serial killer with Conjuring 3. I think with this, I just wanted to return to basics, because we were also doing a very kind of Warren-centric story. And I think that was something that you needed to have something that felt very familiar.”
Chaves spoke candidly about test-screening the film “a lot.” He, as well as producers, was satisfied with the early reaction from audiences who felt the film was a worthy final chapter. He was also honest in saying he’s well aware of the fact that Last Rites has plenty of elaborate set pieces that result in fancy jump scares:
“We test-screened it a lot, and a lot of people would say that it felt full circle. And that was totally the goal. We love our fans, and we love our audiences, and we make these movies for fans and for audiences.
“If you’re going to a Mission: Impossible movie, it’s to watch Tom Cruise jump off a cliff. If you’re going to a Conjuring movie, it’s for these scenes.”
The Final Chapter in ‘The Conjuring’ Franchise is Dominating the Box Office
Warner Bros.
It was projected to perform well, but as soon as it arrived in theaters, it became clear that The Conjuring: Last Rites would be one of the most commercially successful entries in the series. The film grossed a whopping $81 million over its opening weekend, officially — and easily — breaking the record for best opening weekend in the blockbuster franchise. In fact, the Conjuring series is the most commercially successful horror franchise of all time, having grossed more than $2 billion. This number will only go up as Last Rites continues to attract audiences.
It’s also a standout success among 2025’s horror releases. Sinners, Final Destination Bloodlines, and Weapons have also resonated with audiences during a terrific year for the genre, and by the time it’s finished its theatrical run, The Conjuring: Last Rites will easily join their scarily esteemed ranks.
2
/5
Release Date
September 5, 2025
Runtime
135 Minutes
Director
Michael Chaves
Writers
David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Ian B. Goldberg, Richard Naing, Carey Hayes, Chad Hayes, James Wan
Producers
Peter Safran, James Wan
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