Directed by Michael Chaves. Written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan. Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, Julian Hilliard, Shannon Kook and John Noble.
Plot: the Warrens investigate a murder that may be linked to demonic possession.
A lot of people didn’t like this movie as much as the first two Conjuring films, but we feel that it fell it quite nicely with the rest. Which is why we’re including it in our Halloween movies for this October.
It begins with Ed (Wilson) and Lorraine (Farmiga) helping with the exorcism of an 8-year-old boy, David (Hilliard), in Connecticut. His family, including his sister, Debbie (Hook), a priest and Debbie’s boyfriend, Arne (O’Connor), are all involved. During the exorcism, Arne tells the entity possessing David to take him instead because he’s that in love with Debbie. Also, Ed has a heart attack during all this and winds up in a coma. Later, when Ed wakes up, he tells Lorraine that Arne is in danger. The cops go to see if he’s okay and they find him walking down the street, covered in blood, declaring, “I think I hurt someone.”
Turns out Arne has killed his landlord by stabbing him 22 times. Since Ed and Lorraine don’t believe that it was really Arne himself committing the murder, they go back to where it all started. They meet with a former priest, Father Kastner (Noble), who informs them that someone cursed David and Arne using witchcraft and a little totem.
I won’t get into anymore of the plot since that would give too much away, but it isn’t a typical Conjuring haunted house movie. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good though. The story packs a punch and makes you wonder about the true story behind it. I even cried a little. I’ll admit it. The Freddy Claws was also good. There’s a very “can do” attitude coming from a lot of people. I loved just about every character. The innovation was great. It followed rules. There was a good script, good effects, a cute ending and wonderful acting from all involved. Plus, I loved the message that love is actually stronger than most everything else.
Our score: 76.
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