The first teaser for The Conjuring: Last Rites (or The Conjuring 4, if you're nasty) just landed, and it's dripping with the same eerie atmosphere that made the original a horror classic. But here's the uncomfortable truth: this franchise might be running on haunted fumes.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as Ed and Lorraine Warren for (supposedly) their “last case,” tackling the infamous Smurl haunting—a real-life demonic infestation that plagued a Pennsylvania family in the '80s. The trailer's breadcrumbs? Creepy whispers, slamming doors, and that signature Conjuring slow-burn dread. But dig deeper, and you'll spot the cracks in the foundation.
The Warrens' Greatest Enemy? Franchise Fatigue
Since 2013, The Conjuring universe has spawned nine films, with hits (Annabelle: Creation) and misses (The Nun 2's CGI specters). This trailer leans hard on nostalgia—Ed's vest, Lorraine's worried glances—but where's the fresh terror? Director Michael Chaves (The Devil Made Me Do It) delivers polished scares, yet the formula feels… familiar.
Compare it to Insidious: The Red Door (2023), another “final chapter” that underdelivered. Horror franchises love a dramatic exit—until the box office begs for a sequel. “Last Case. Last Rites.” Sure, Warner Bros. Until the next one.
The Real Horror? Hollywood's Sequel Addiction
The trailer's most unsettling shot isn't a demon—it's the Warner Bros logo. The studio's clinging to this universe like a possessed doll, greenlighting spin-offs (The Crooked Man) before Last Rites even premieres. Meanwhile, indie horrors like Talk to Me prove originality still shocks audiences.
Yet, credit where it's due: Farmiga and Wilson's chemistry remains electric. And the Smurl case? A deep-cut Warren file ripe for cinematic terror. If Last Rites dives into the family's psychological unraveling (think The Shining meets The Exorcist), it could stick the landing.
Proceed with Caution
This teaser's a moody, well-crafted sizzle reel—but is it the Warrens' swan song or just another studio séance? Mark your calendars for September 5th, but keep your expectations in holy water.
Header Image Idea: *Split-screen of the Smurl house (1980s news photo) vs. the film's haunting re-creation.*
Will you watch The Conjuring 4, or is this franchise officially… dead?
