The Conjuring: Last Rites might be the franchise’s final film, but the Warrens’ story could continue: Here’s how

The Conjuring: Last Rites is the forthcoming film in the supernatural horror genre that is slated to be released on September 5, 2025, by Warner Bros. Pictures. A ninth entry in the installment, the film is a direct sequel to 2021's The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

Here's the official synopsis:

"Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront."

There have been reports that it might be the last film in the long-running horror franchise. Even if it's true, the story of the Warrens' should continue.

The Conjuring: Last Rites should not stop the Warrens' story

The Conjuring: Last Rites follows the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren as a clairvoyant couple. But the twist is that the film will showcase a younger version of the Warrens.

While the film will mainly follow the elder versions of the couple (played by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), the first look images suggest that the younger version will also have a crucial part in the film. This time, they will investigate the hauntings of the Smurls, which was the last case the Warrens took.

Both actors have stated that Last Rites will have them playing the role for one last time. However, the film's concept allows to have more spin-offs in the future so that the franchise can continue to exist. If the film is showing them young, then we can have separate films to show all the cases the Warrens took when they were young.

The franchise has come up with spin-offs like The Nun and Annabelle, so the viewers won't be surprised if we get an offshoot around the Warrens. We can expect new actors to fill in the shoes and portray the young demonologist.

More about The Conjuring: Last Rites

The Conjuring: Last Rites is helmed by Michael Chaves; the story is by James Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, while the screenplay is written by David, Richard Naing, and Ian Goldberg. Wan has produced the film with Peter Safran.

Besides Fermiga and Wilson, the film also stars:

Madison Lawlor as young Lorraine
Orion Smith as young Ed
Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren
Ben Hardy as Tony Spera
Steve Coulter as Father Gordon
Shannon Kook as Drew Thomas

Vera Fermiga recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about playing the role for one last time. She said,

"My rosary literally busted apart. The beads were like, 'Girl, we're out of here!' I think we've done as much as we can do for this."

She added that she's going to miss working with her co-star Patrick Wilson.

"I'm going to miss Patrick most of all. I mean, not really. He's reachable within seconds on text. But I'll miss him as a fun scene partner who totally understands my kind of neurology, who vibes with my brain in a way. I love that guy. I'm so blessed to have had him by my side. He made all of these life-zapping, exhausting exorcisms feel like a family barbecue."

Are you excited about the film?