US, 2021 (exorcism drama). Starring Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, Julian Hilliard, John Noble. Directed by Michael Chaves. 113 minutes. Rated MA (strong horror themes and violence)
This is the third in the Conjuring series but real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Wilson and Farmiga) have been associated with a number of other films in what is now the largest horror franchise in history. This includes the first two “Conjuring: films as well as Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, and Annabelle Comes Home. The Warren’s rose to some prominence with the haunting of the house in Amityville, filmed in 1978 as The Amityville Horror, which also led to a series of Amityville films and telemovies. They also worked in Enfield, in London.
Most drama requires a suspension of disbelief – films such as this, and the activities of the Warrens, perhaps require a suspension of scepticism.
The Warrens were well known with their work in connection with diabolical possessions, satanic rituals, exorcisms. They also became famous as television personalities – and, at the end of this film, there are clips from an interview with the Warrens themselves as well as the audio of the exorcism performed and visualised in the prologue here.
In fact, the prologue is quite alarming, obviously in the tradition of The Exorcist with the priest arriving outside the building to perform the ceremony, this time a boy of eight, possessed, writhing and contorting, convulsing, his parents present, his sister and her boyfriend, the Warrens and the priest joining them. This kind of thing is always disturbing to watch, especially with a young boy. It is only when the boyfriend offers to receive the demon out of the boy, that the situation becomes calm.
What emerges is the story of Satanists, the Disciples of the Ram, arrested, tried in court and imprisoned. However, they have left an underground cavern, a satanic altar, cup for blood, an animal’s death head, and a mysterious presence, a woman who has organised the ritual and continues in her search for a soul.
Which means then that there is a lot of drama and melodrama. The young man, Arnie (Rauiri O’Connor) viciously attacks a friend, is arrested, and then in court, makes a plea for violence under the influence of spirit possession. And his woes continue in prison, despite the help of the prison chaplain.
The film follows two lines of drama, the Warrens' investigation into a similar kind of case in Massachusetts, discussions with the detective, Lorraine exercising her extraordinary powers, seeing and sensing evil, becoming involved in the past story and murder. The second line is information about a former priest, who helped with the arrest of the Disciples of the Ram, but who lives alone with the relics from the sect.
Needless to say, and what we were expecting, is a build-up to a final confrontation, especially between Lorraine and the mysterious female presence, Ed coming to Lorraine’s rescue but influenced by the evil woman, a violent confrontation.
Perhaps audiences are getting used to the franchise. While there have been favourable comments, many also say that this is not as exciting and powerful as the previous films. But, for most audiences who venture to see the Conjuring films, plenty of excitement and alarm.
Universal
Released 3 June
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media.