The Conjuring (2013)
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.
Details
Budget
$13,000,000
Rating
8/10 (11731 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Evergreen Media Group, New Line Cinema, The Safran Company
About The Conjuring
Released in 2013, *The Conjuring* delves into the familiar territory of haunted houses and demonic possession, drawing on the alleged real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film follows the Warrens as they assist the Perron family, who are experiencing disturbing supernatural events in their new Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. Rather than relying on gore, the movie emphasizes suspense and atmosphere, building dread through its depiction of a malevolent spirit.
Director James Wan crafts a horror experience that leans into classic tropes, using psychological tension and unsettling visuals to create its scares. The narrative builds to an exorcism, confronting the demonic entity that terrorizes the family. With strong performances from Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens, the film establishes a compelling dynamic for its central characters.
The film’s success led to the creation of a broader cinematic universe, expanding on the stories of various demonic entities and haunted objects introduced within the series. This approach to horror, focusing on a more traditional, suspense-driven style, resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning solid ratings across Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and IMDb.
Why you might be searching for The Conjuring
People often search for *The Conjuring* due to its reputation as a genuinely scary horror film, particularly for its connection to the 'based on a true story' premise and the real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film's specific scenes of possession, haunted house activity, and jump scares are also memorable elements that prompt searches.
What reviewers are saying
This film excels in traditional horror, focusing on suspense and scares rather than gore or sexual content, appealing to fans who appreciate a more classical approach to the genre.
Read the full reviewThe movie is a solid example of classical horror, building slowly to a confrontation with an evil entity, though it doesn't introduce many new narrative elements to the genre.
Read the full reviewJames Wan effectively develops a sense of menace through the story, supported by strong performances from the cast and an eerily effective musical score, contributing to a plausible sense of malevolence.
Read the full reviewThe film delivers a strong supernatural horror experience, progressing its story clearly without relying on cheap jump scares, and effectively portrays its supernatural elements and the convincing performances of the child actors and Vera Farmiga.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
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You can stream *The Conjuring* on HBO Max, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. It's also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. You can also purchase it on disc or digital.
*The Conjuring* is loosely based on the real-life investigations of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film centers on their experience helping the Perron family, who reported supernatural occurrences in their Rhode Island farmhouse in 1971.
At the end of *The Conjuring*, Carolyn Perron becomes fully possessed by the witch Bathsheba, who tries to force Carolyn to kill her own daughters. Ed and Lorraine Warren intervene, and when they cannot get immediate approval for an exorcism from the Catholic Church, Ed performs one himself. During the exorcism, Lorraine reminds Carolyn of a powerful family memory, which temporarily breaks Bathsheba's hold, allowing Ed to complete the ritual and send the demonic entity back to Hell. The film concludes with the Warrens adding a haunted music box from the Perron home to their collection of cursed artifacts.
*The Conjuring* received generally favorable reviews, with many critics praising its effective use of old-school scares and ability to build dread. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 86% of 227 critics gave the film a positive review, with the consensus noting its "well-crafted and gleefully creepy" nature.