Everything We Know About 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' So Far

Fans of 'The Conjuring' universe won't have long to wait for the next chapter in the long-running paranormal franchise. Titled 'The Conjuring: Last Rites', the film is currently slated for release on September 5, and promises to bring the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren to a chilling conclusion.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson will reprise their iconic roles as the Warrens, real-life paranormal investigators who have become horror cinema staples thanks to their portrayal in the hit franchise. They'll be joined by a younger version of themselves, played by Madison Lawlor as young Lorraine and Orion Smith as young Ed. This suggests we'll see flashbacks woven into the main story, which seems fitting for a final instalment that looks back on their haunted legacy.

Also returning is Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren, the couple's daughter, with John Brotherton playing Brad, who fans may recognise from earlier entries in the series. The wider cast includes Molly Cartwright, Kate Fahy, Elliot Cowan, Beau Gadson, Rebecca Calder, and Ben Hardy, though their roles haven't yet been confirmed.

The film is directed by Michael Chaves, who previously helmed both 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' and 'The Nun II'. The screenplay is by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, the writer behind 'The Conjuring 2', with additional writing credits going to Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing. Chaves has become a familiar creative force in the franchise, and his involvement hints at a continuation of the darker tone seen in his previous contributions.

'Last Rites' is being billed as the final case for the Warrens – at least within this core timeline. It will be the tenth film in the Conjuring universe when including spin-offs like the Annabelle trilogy and The Nun films. While the wider universe may continue with future titles, this movie is said to mark the end of the road for Ed and Lorraine's on-screen investigations.

So what case will bring the Warrens back to the big screen for one last time? The plot reportedly centres on a haunting experienced by Jack and Janet Smurl, a couple who, along with their family, begin to suffer disturbing paranormal activity after moving into what they believed would be their dream home. This aligns with the real-life Smurl haunting, a controversial and much-publicised case that took place in Pennsylvania in the 1980s.

The Smurl family claimed they were plagued by a demonic presence between 1974 and 1989, experiencing everything from foul smells to physical assaults and unexplained noises. The Warrens were among the investigators who visited the house during the height of the alleged activity. While the case has been widely debated and dismissed by skeptics, it remains one of the most well-known hauntings associated with the Warrens.

If the film is indeed set in 1986, it places Lorraine Warren at around 59 years old, which aligns closely with the real-life timeline (Lorraine was born in 1927). Vera Farmiga, who plays her, is 51 as of late 2024, making the casting reasonably age-appropriate for this point in Lorraine's life.

The film is also a direct sequel to 2021's 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It', and will likely continue to explore the Warrens' personal and professional lives. With flashbacks reportedly playing a part, the movie may reflect on earlier experiences while bringing their story full circle.

Interestingly, Vera Farmiga's younger sister Taissa Farmiga also stars in the Conjuring universe, playing Sister Irene in 'The Nun' series. The two characters have never appeared on screen together, but the real-life sibling connection has often sparked fan theories about how the timelines might eventually overlap.

If Sister Irene were to make an appearance in this film (a possibility not confirmed at this time), she would be in her mid-50s by 1986 – just a few years younger than Lorraine herself. Any crossover between the two characters would be a major talking point for fans, though so far there's no official indication that this will happen.

With the words "most terrifying case yet" being used in early marketing, it's clear that 'Last Rites' aims to close the main series with a bang. If it follows the trend of earlier films, we can expect a blend of religious themes, demonic hauntings, and emotionally charged storytelling that touches on both belief and doubt – all hallmarks of the franchise.

'The Conjuring' universe has always walked a line between horror fiction and real-life inspiration. Whether or not you believe the Warrens' cases were genuine, the films have created a distinct style and mythology that continues to attract audiences worldwide. As the curtains begin to close on Ed and Lorraine's cinematic journey, fans are hoping for a fitting and frightening send-off.

'The Conjuring: Last Rites' arrives in cinemas on September 5, 2025, and is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror releases of the year. Whether it's truly the end for the Warrens, or just the start of a new chapter elsewhere in the universe, remains to be seen.