The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Reveal a Bittersweet Farewell to a Horror Icon

The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Rotten Tomatoes scores have sparked lively discussion, offering insight into the final chapter of the beloved horror franchise.

Released on September 5, 2025, this fourth and final installment of The Conjuring series, directed by Michael Chaves, sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren for one last demonic showdown.

With a 62% critics’ score and a 78% audience rating, the film has divided reviewers but won over many fans. Let’s unpack what these reviews tell us about the movie’s scares, emotional weight, and place in the Conjuring Universe.

The Conjuring: Last Rites Reviews In A Nutshell

• Critics’ Score: The Conjuring: Last Rites holds a 62% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 127 reviews.

• Audience Reception: Fans gave the film a 78% approval rating, showing stronger support than critics.

• Standout Performances: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s performances as the Warrens are widely praised.

• Emotional Core: Reviews highlight the film’s nostalgic and heartfelt send-off for Ed and Lorraine.

• Franchise Ranking: It’s the third-best-rated Conjuring film, behind The Conjuring (86%) and The Conjuring 2 (80%).

How Do Critics Feel About the Scares and Story?

Critics have mixed feelings about the film’s horror elements. Many praise its chilling atmosphere, with Bloody Disgusting noting it delivers “memorable chills that linger” and more gore than previous entries.

However, some reviewers, like those from The Hollywood Reporter, call the scares “stale” and the plot “predictable.” The story, inspired by the real-life Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania, revisits the Warrens’ early career via a 1964 flashback involving a haunted mirror.

While some critics feel the narrative lacks originality, others, like Heaven of Horror, say it feels “back on track” with the first film’s vibe.The consensus seems to be that the scares are effective but not groundbreaking.

Collider notes the film is “less scary” than earlier entries but excels in its family dynamics, echoing the emotional depth of the 2013 original. This suggests the movie leans heavily on nostalgia rather than pushing the horror envelope.

Why Are the Performances So Celebrated?

The standout element in reviews is the performances of Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. Critics universally laud their chemistry and emotional depth as Ed and Lorraine Warren. Slashfilm calls the film “probably the funniest entry” in the series, crediting the actors’ ability to balance humor with horror.

ComingSoon.net highlights their “significant part of horror pop culture,” noting the final moments as a fitting goodbye. The introduction of Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson) and her boyfriend Tony Spera (Ben Hardy) as potential successors also earns praise, with Roger Ebert’s review calling them a “savvy” addition to pass the narrative torch.

Fans echo this sentiment, with posts on X describing the film as a “beautiful conclusion” to the Warrens’ story. The emotional weight of their final case, tied to their daughter and their legacy, resonates deeply, even if the script doesn’t always match their performances’ intensity.

Does the Film Feel Like a True Finale?

The Conjuring: Last Rites is marketed as the end of the Warrens’ saga, and reviews suggest it delivers on that promise, albeit imperfectly.

Critics like those at Deadline praise its “frothy return” to the aesthetic of James Wan’s 2013 film, with a nostalgic tone that ties up the Warrens’ arc.

The film’s 135-minute runtime, the longest in the series, allows for a deep dive into their history, including a flashback that connects to their early days.

However, some reviewers, like IndieWire, question whether the franchise is truly done, given its $2.2 billion box office haul.

The mixed critical reception (62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic) contrasts with the audience’s warmer response (78%), suggesting fans are more forgiving of pacing and story issues.

Forbes ranks it fifth among the ten Conjuring Universe films, above spinoffs like The Nun (24%) but below the original’s 86%. This indicates a solid, if not spectacular, farewell.

What Does the Rotten Tomatoes Score Mean for the Franchise’s Legacy?

The 62% critics’ score marks an improvement over The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (56%) but falls short of the first two films’ highs (86% and 80%). The audience score of 78% is also lower than the original’s 83%, reflecting a divide between critics and fans.

ScreenRant notes it’s the “worst reviewed” in the main series, yet its “Fresh” rating breaks the franchise’s recent streak of critical flops. The film’s $8.5 million preview box office, the largest in the series, shows strong fan interest despite the lukewarm reviews.

The reviews suggest The Conjuring: Last Rites prioritizes emotional closure over innovative horror, making it a crowd-pleaser for longtime fans but less thrilling for those seeking fresh scares.

Its focus on family and legacy, combined with strong performances, cements the Warrens’ place in horror history, even if the film doesn’t reach the heights of the 2013 original.Verified Information Table

Is This a Worthy Send-Off for the Warrens?

The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Rotten Tomatoes reviews paint a picture of a film that’s more heart than horror, delivering a nostalgic and emotional farewell to Ed and Lorraine Warren.

While it may not reinvent the genre or match the original’s critical acclaim, its strong performances and family-focused story make it a fitting end for fans.

The mixed reviews highlight a franchise showing signs of fatigue, but the audience’s enthusiasm and box office success prove the Warrens’ enduring appeal.

As the Conjuring Universe closes this chapter, it leaves a legacy of chills and heartfelt moments that will linger with horror fans for years to come.