The Conjuring Real Story: 7 Shocking Truths The Movie Hid (Latest 2025 Update)

The Conjuring franchise is built on the terrifying claim of being based on a "true story," yet the cinematic version is a highly dramatized and often misleading account of the events that allegedly tormented the Perron family in the 1970s. As of December 12, 2025, the original case remains a cornerstone of modern paranormal lore, but new details—and persistent controversies—continue to challenge the narrative presented on screen. This deep dive uncovers the seven most shocking truths, the real-life entities, and the latest updates, including the true case behind the upcoming 2025 finale.

The core of the first film centers on the Perron family's experience at the secluded Harrisville, Rhode Island farmhouse and the involvement of famed (and controversial) paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The true events, as recounted by the family, were far more subtle, drawn-out, and, in some ways, more disturbing than the jump-scares of the movie. Understanding the real story requires separating Hollywood's demonic fiction from the historical and personal accounts of the people who lived through it.

The Perron Family & The Harrisville Haunting: A Real-Life Biography

The Perron family’s story is the foundation of The Conjuring. Here is a brief biography of the key figures and the location:

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• Roger Perron (Father): Moved his family to the Harrisville farmhouse in 1970. He was initially skeptical but became a witness to the alleged phenomena.
• Carolyn Perron (Mother): The primary focus of the alleged demonic possession in the film. In reality, she was the most affected by the haunting, reportedly experiencing a physical attack and later an alleged possession attempt described by the Warrens.
• Andrea Perron (Eldest Daughter): The most vocal member of the family, she documented their experiences in the book series House of Darkness House of Light, which served as the primary source material for the film. Her recent interviews (as late as 2024) continue to affirm the family's terrifying experiences.
• The Other Daughters: Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April Perron. All five sisters reported various forms of paranormal activity, from seeing full-bodied apparitions to levitating beds and unexplained noises.
• The Harrisville Farmhouse: Located in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The family moved in in 1970 and lived there for nearly a decade, despite the alleged haunting, because of financial constraints. The house itself has since become a destination for paranormal enthusiasts, with new owners reportedly experiencing their own phenomena.

7 Shocking Truths The Conjuring Movie Concealed

While the film captures the general atmosphere of fear, it takes extreme liberties with the timeline, the nature of the spirits, and the role of the Warrens. These are the most significant differences between cinematic fiction and the alleged true events:

1. Bathsheba Sherman Was Not a Demonic Witch (and Didn't Hang Herself)

In the film, the central antagonist is Bathsheba Sherman, a witch who allegedly sacrificed her child and cursed the land. The historical truth is far less sensational. Bathsheba Sherman was a real woman who lived in the 19th century and resided on the farm. However, there is no credible historical evidence or documentation to suggest she was a witch, murdered her child, or was involved in Satanic worship. She died an elderly woman in 1885 of natural causes, not by hanging herself from a tree. The movie’s demonic persona is almost entirely fictional, created to provide a clear, terrifying villain for the plot. The real Perron haunting was allegedly plagued by multiple spirits, not just one main entity.

2. The Perrons Lived There for Nearly a Decade

In the movie, the haunting escalates quickly, leading to a dramatic exorcism and the family's quick departure. The reality is that the Perron family lived in the house for ten years (1970–1980) because they simply couldn't afford to move. The financial aspect of their struggle—being trapped in a terrifying house—adds a layer of real-world horror that the film glosses over. The haunting was a slow, persistent campaign of terror, not a quick, dramatic battle.

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3. The Warrens’ Involvement Was Brief and Controversial

The film portrays Ed and Lorraine Warren as heroic figures who arrive to save the day. According to Andrea Perron, the Warrens were only at the house for a short time, and their methods caused more distress than relief. The Perron family did not hire the Warrens; they came to the house after Roger Perron made a plea for help. The famous "exorcism" scene in the movie is highly fictionalized. Andrea Perron has stated that the events during the Warrens' visit were so traumatic that her father, Roger, ultimately kicked them out of the house.

4. The Real-Life Warrens Face Serious Allegations of Fraud and Abuse

Perhaps the most shocking truth for fans is the extensive controversy surrounding Ed and Lorraine Warren. While they are celebrated in the film series, critics and former associates have long accused them of sensationalism, exploiting vulnerable families, and fabricating evidence. Furthermore, allegations surfaced regarding Ed Warren's alleged sexual misconduct, including claims from his former assistant, Judith Penney, which paint a starkly different picture of the couple's personal life than the saintly portrayal in the films. This ongoing debate over their credibility is a vital part of the "real story" that the movies ignore.

5. The Haunting Was Allegedly Caused by Multiple Spirits

The film focuses exclusively on Bathsheba, but the Perron family's account includes encounters with numerous entities. Andrea Perron has detailed interactions with a friendly spirit named "Manny" who would often appear to the children, as well as a more malevolent, older female entity—the one that allegedly targeted her mother, Carolyn. The haunting was a complex tapestry of both benign and terrifying interactions, not a single-entity possession story.

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6. Carolyn Perron’s "Possession" Was an Extremely Rare Event

The climax of the film revolves around Carolyn Perron's dramatic possession. Andrea Perron has confirmed that her mother was the most targeted member of the family and that she witnessed her mother's body contorting and speaking in a non-native language during one of the Warrens' sessions. However, this was an isolated and extremely distressing incident, not the continuous, escalating battle shown in the film. The family's daily life was marked more by strange smells, unexplained noises, and apparitions than by full-blown possessions.

7. The Franchise Finale Focuses on a Different Case: The Smurl Haunting (2025 Update)

For the latest update, the "real story" continues with the upcoming film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, slated for a 2025 release. This final chapter will not revisit the Perrons but will focus on the Warrens' investigation into the Smurl family haunting in Pennsylvania in the mid-1980s. The Smurl case is another highly controversial and publicized investigation that allegedly involved a demonic entity, physical attacks, and bizarre paranormal phenomena, serving as a dark, true-crime-like case to conclude the main series.

The Undeniable Power of Belief and Skepticism

The legacy of the original The Conjuring story is a perfect storm of factors: the compelling personal accounts of the Perron family, the sensationalism of the Warrens’ investigations, and Hollywood's ability to fuse historical truth with cinematic fiction. Whether you view the events as genuine paranormal activity, mass hysteria, or a case of alleged fraud, the story has undeniably cemented its place in popular culture.

The Perron family, particularly Andrea Perron, has consistently maintained that their experiences were terrifyingly real. Their conviction stands in stark contrast to the persistent skepticism surrounding the Warrens, whose methods and motives have been questioned for decades. Ultimately, the "real story" is a complex, unresolved narrative that forces the audience to confront the line between what we believe and what is provable, making the Harrisville farmhouse one of the most enduring and controversial real-life haunted houses in history.