The Conjuring: Last Rites hints at the franchise’s most shocking death yet

The Conjuring: Last Rites rekindles the anguish and terror in the remarkable story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and with the release of the film’s first official trailer, it is certain to take one of the scariest turns in The Conjuring franchise. In a risky narrative choice, the film hints one of the Warrens may not live to see the end of their final case.

Michael Chaves, who directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, returns with Last Rites, and it is set in the 1980s. The franchise’s hallmark haunting atmosphere coupled with the tremendous peril is present in this movie, but unlike the previous installments, there is finality. The trailer strongly hints toward the notion that the culmination of this part’s events will spell doom for at least one protagonist.

A final case, a final goodbye?

Conjuring: Last Rites Source: Warner Bros

From the onset, Last Rites has branded itself a swan song. It relives historical horrors like the Annabelle and the Nun films while making it clear that this instance is different — it is the instance that changes everything. The trailer shows a funeral, the demonically sinister whisper of Lorraine, and increasingly ominous imagery, hinting toward something irrevocably tragic.

With every revelation packed into the teaser, the tagline, “Discover why this case was their last,” reveals the dire reality afoot. It is a sinister proposition that forces the audience to brace themselves for the worst. While the last few films have shown the Warrens escaping, albeit battered and shaken, this time something feels off. This time, it is possible that evil wins.

A departure from reality

The potential death being conjectured is especially troubling considering it doesn’t align with actual history. Ed Warren, to my knowledge, died in 2006, and Lorraine lived until 2019. Their so-called contributions to the field of paranormal research are hopeful, though highly debated, but the so-called couple's controversial life story came to an unspectacular end, far removed from cursed dolls and demon nuns.

If it’s one of the franchise films bound to end up in the Last Rites with one of them dying decades before they actually did, it is sure to ignite discussions. Powerful narrative tactic or surely disrespectful alteration of a real couple's life? The franchise has always been known for blurring the thin line between fact and fiction, as horror more often than not relies on something other than reality and reason.

The emotional power of death in horror

One of the best methods in storytelling is the emotional death of a character that resonates deeply within the viewer—especially when it does feel earned. The demise of dear, iconic characters has been used in franchises from Logan to No Time to Die. And now The Conjuring Universe is seemingly set up for a tragic send-off.

Elimination of Ed or Lorraine would serve as a striking emotional pillar, catering to die-hard fans with a complex send-off. It also escalates the stakes of a saga that has at times felt too cushioned within its own outcomes. Encountering an invincible evil is one thing being pitted against an unstoppable force that actually wins, well, that changes absolutely everything.

What happens after Ed and Lorraine?

Even if Last Rites seems to spell the end for the Warren family story, the franchise is not likely to die with them just yet. According to reports, Warner Bros. is looking into a Conjuring series for Max, which bolsters the spinoff universe of Annabelle, The Nun, and The Crooked Man. There is plenty of room for additional works.

The Warrens are bland, normative characters who lack any form of depth, emotion, or appeal. Thus, arbitrarily stripping them from the narrative would lead to more creature-feature-esque plots. In order to avoid that redundant genre motion, some semblance of heart was needed through new perspectives capable of emotionally engaging the audience.

Fictional death, real-world reflection

While the concept of killing a beloved horror character based on a real character is volatile at best, the choice they make is bound to spark controversy. Wrapping things up respectfully can turn Last Rites into an emotional, well-crafted, and thoughtful finale.

Handling things poorly, however, puts the legacy of two real humans… facing off against a very misconstrued fictitious portrayal of them within a heavy but life-filled narrative. Their lives, however fictitious on screen, as desired by horror fans, have the bad taste of destroying their legacy.

Regardless of the outcome, The Conjuring: Last Rites appears to be a hallmark for the franchise. Whether it ends in agony or victory, the case is guaranteed to be the most frightening—and perhaps the most relatable—tale.