Warrens Face Their Final Demon in ‘The Conjuring: The Last Rites’

After more than a decade of demonic encounters, exorcisms and box office dominance, The Conjuring franchise is preparing to close the case on its most enduring characters. The Conjuring: The Last Rites will see Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return for one final appearance as Ed and Lorraine Warren, bringing the curtain down on a series that has helped redefine mainstream horror since its debut in 2013.

Directed by Michael Chaves, The Last Rites takes place in 1986, several years after the Warrens’ retirement. When the Smurl family in Pennsylvania finds themselves terrorised by a malevolent presence, Ed and Lorraine are drawn back into the shadows for one last investigation. While previous entries often centred around isolated hauntings, this instalment is being framed as a more introspective reckoning for the couple, delving into their legacy, faith and the emotional cost of a life spent confronting darkness.

The film will also expand the Warren family circle. Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy portray Judy Warren and her boyfriend Tony Spera, with returning cast member Steve Coulter reprising his role as Father Gordon. The supporting cast includes Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton and Shannon Kook.

Franchise creators James Wan and Peter Safran produce, with the screenplay credited to Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. While early development considered a large-scale crossover featuring previous villains, Chaves confirmed the decision was made to focus the story squarely on the emotional bond between Ed and Lorraine.

The Conjuring franchise has become one of horror’s most lucrative properties, spanning three main films and multiple spin-offs, including the Annabelle and The Nun series. It has generated over $2 billion globally. Chaves, who previously directed The Curse of La Llorona, The Nun II and The Devil Made Me Do It, again steers the franchise’s visual and tonal direction.

With The Last Rites, the series returns to its origins, grounding the spectacle in the intimate connection that has always been its driving force. The film is set for theatrical release on 5 September via Warner Bros. Discovery and New Line Cinema.

The Conjuring: The Last Rites trailer