🎥 The Warrens’ last hurrah: Directed by US filmmaker Michael Chaves and co-written with Australia’s James Wan, we go on one last adventure with Ed and Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites, the fourth installment in the most popular and highest-grossing horror franchise of all time. In Last Rites, the creators of the franchise conclude a journey that has left an undeniable mark on cinema, following the very last case Ed and Lorraine took on in the ‘80s.

Old ghosts. The film begins with a flashback to 1964, exploring the very first case Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) failed to crack. Audiences watch as a demonic entity living inside a mirror attacks the then-pregnant Lorraine, leading to her being rushed to a hospital where she gives birth to her only daughter, Judy. Despite the odds, both mother and daughter fight to stay alive.

Back to the ‘80s. Following the opening scene, we’re transported back to the film’s present timeline in the 1980s, where the Warrens are “live, laugh, loving” — enjoying a quiet life after deciding to retire in light of Ed’s declining health. As Judy — now in her mid-twenties — prepares to begin a new life with her partner Tony (Ben Hardy), things quickly take a turn, and their lives turn into a struggle for survival.

All aboard the Pennsylvania train — demons get a discount. Alongside the main narrative, we’re introduced to the Smurl family in Philadelphia — a set of grandparents, a daughter and her husband, and their four girls. In other words: a demon’s halftime show. The poltergeist finds its way into their home when the grandfather presents one of his granddaughters with a gift that turns out to be cursed, unleashing unthinkable horrors on the soon-to-be miserable family. Soon enough, their paths cross with the Warrens, leading to a final case unlike any the demon-hunting duo has ever encountered before.

The runt of the franchise? Perhaps — but we enjoyed the nostalgia. The film had some flaws, including its reliance on dialogue-heavy scenes for storytelling. This came at the expense of the brisk pace and thrilling elements the franchise is known for, with events heating up almost an hour into the movie, delayed by a slew of long conversational scenes. That said, we were happy to see the Warrens together again, and to discover a new, vulnerable side to their personalities.

Not as many jumpscares, but they’re done right. While the film didn’t necessarily terrify us, and the few jump scares — most of which were shown in the trailer — weren’t particularly frightening, they carried the franchise’s signature feel. From evil dolls to unsettling premonitions, it’s classic Conjuring. If you’re looking at the Last Rites from a purely horror perspective, you might feel disappointed, but if it’s judged as a conclusion to a series, you’ll find it moving and enjoyable — especially given that we got to see lots of previous fan favorites.

WHERE TO WATCH– You can catch The Conjuring: Last Rites at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria. The film is also screening at City Stars Cinema, Scene Cinemas at CFCM and District 5, Cima Arkan, and P90 Cinema. Catch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:25).

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