If you walked into a theater recently expecting just another jump-scare fest, you probably got more than you bargained for. The Conjuring: Last Rites didn't just land; it basically detonated at the box office, raking in nearly $500 million since its September 2025 release. Honestly, for a fourth movie in a franchise, that kind of staying power is almost as scary as the movies themselves.
But there’s a lot of confusion floating around. People are asking if this is truly the end, or if Warner Bros. is just pulling our leg to drive up ticket sales. I’ve been tracking this production since it was just a whisper in the trades, and the reality of the "new" Conjuring movie is a mix of a definitive goodbye and a very corporate "see you later."
What Most People Get Wrong About Last Rites
Most fans think the Conjuring movies just make up random ghost stories. They don't. Or at least, they try to tether them to the "real" case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Conjuring: Last Rites focuses on the Smurl haunting.
This wasn't some Victorian mansion in the middle of nowhere. It was a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. In the film, Jack and Janet Smurl (played by Elliot Cowan and Rebecca Calder) are basically tormented by a demon that doesn't just move chairs—it gets physical.
There's a scene involving a "mirror demon" that was actually trimmed down for the theatrical cut because it was apparently too intense. If you've seen the movie, you know the stakes felt higher this time because Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga aren't just playing investigators anymore; they’re playing a couple facing their own mortality. Ed's health is a major plot point, reflecting the real-life Ed Warren’s decline.
Why the "Final Film" Label is Tricky
Director Michael Chaves hasn't been shy about calling this the "final chapter." He’s gone on record saying, "It is done. There's no other Conjuring movies."
But let’s be real. In Hollywood, "final" usually means "until we figure out the reboot."
While The Conjuring: Last Rites serves as the definitive end for the Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga era, the "Universe" isn't going anywhere. Producer Peter Safran recently hinted that the massive success of this installment—becoming the highest-grossing in the entire series—has the studio rethinking the "end."
What's actually happening next:
- The HBO Series: There is a TV show in active development for Max. Nancy Won (who worked on Little Fires Everywhere) is steering that ship. It’s expected to expand the lore without necessarily needing the Warrens front and center every episode.
- The Prequel Movie: Just a few months ago, news broke that a prequel is in development. Word is it’ll focus on the Warrens’ early years—think 1960s—with younger actors stepping into the roles. Rodrigue Huart is the name currently tied to the director's chair for that one.
- The Spinoffs: While The Nun II felt like it wrapped things up for Valak, don't rule out more "Artifact Room" stories. Characters like Judy Warren (now played by Mia Tomlinson) and Tony Spera (Ben Hardy) were given a lot of screen time in Last Rites, clearly testing the waters for them to take over the family business.
The Smurl Case vs. The Movie
If you want to understand why this movie feels different, you have to look at the source material. The Smurl haunting (1974–1989) is one of the most controversial cases the Warrens ever took. Skeptics, like Paul Kurtz of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, basically called the whole thing a sham or a result of brain hallucinations.
The movie, of course, goes full supernatural. But Chaves made a conscious effort to keep the "domestic" horror feeling real. The scares aren't just loud noises; they're about the invasion of a family's safe space. It’s 135 minutes of pure tension, and it works because we’ve spent twelve years caring about Ed and Lorraine.
Where to Watch It Right Now
If you missed the theatrical run, you’re in luck. As of January 2026, The Conjuring: Last Rites is available on Digital HD and streaming on Max.
It’s also worth checking out the 4K Steelbook if you’re a physical media nerd. The "Ending Explained" featurettes on the disc actually go into detail about how they filmed the final exorcism scene, which took nearly two weeks to shoot on a closed set.
What You Should Do Next
If you've already seen Last Rites and you’re feeling that post-horror void, don't just rewatch the old ones.
- Check out the "Corpse Knight" Comic: Michael Chaves is actually writing a horror comic for Image Comics called Corpse Knight that drops in April 2026. It’s got a very similar vibe to his film work.
- Watch the Real Smurl Interviews: Look up the 1980s news segments with the Smurl family. Seeing the real people behind the "characters" makes the movie ten times more unsettling.
- Keep an eye on August 2026: While it’s not a Conjuring movie, Insidious 6 (directed by Jacob Chase) is slated for August 21, 2026. Since James Wan produces both, you can expect some thematic crossover or even a cheeky easter egg.
The era of Ed and Lorraine as we know them is over, but the franchise is just moving into a new basement.