5 Shocking Facts About Judy Warren In Annabelle Comes Home: From Mckenna Grace’s Portrayal To The Real-Life Story

The character of Judy Warren in Annabelle Comes Home remains one of the most compelling, and often overlooked, figures in The Conjuring Universe. As of December 18, 2025, the film is often revisited by fans who appreciate its unique approach to the franchise, essentially turning the Warren's infamous artifact room into a haunted house attraction. This installment, released in 2019, shifts the focus entirely onto the Warrens' young daughter, placing her directly in the crosshairs of the malevolent Annabelle doll and the other spirits it unleashes. Judy's story is a fascinating blend of real-life history and cinematic horror, making her a pivotal figure whose journey is far more complex than a simple damsel in distress.

The film, which serves as a direct sequel to Annabelle and a continuation of the main Conjuring storyline, is the first time the franchise truly explores the emotional and paranormal toll the Warrens' work takes on their family, specifically their child. Judy, portrayed by the incredibly talented Mckenna Grace, must confront the horrors her parents contain, making her the central hero in a night of supernatural chaos. Her struggle to cope with the isolation caused by her parents' controversial work, combined with her own emerging psychic abilities, forms the emotional core of the film, elevating it beyond a standard jump-scare fest.

Mckenna Grace: The Young Star Who Embodied Judy Warren

The success of Judy Warren's character in Annabelle Comes Home is inextricably linked to the performance of Mckenna Grace. Grace took over the role from Sterling Jerins, who had portrayed the younger Judy in The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2. Grace's casting brought a fresh, mature, and deeply empathetic quality to the character, which was essential for carrying the film's narrative.

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Mckenna Grace Biography and Filmography Highlights

• Full Name: Mckenna Grace
• Date of Birth: June 25, 2006
• Place of Birth: Grapevine, Texas, USA
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Songwriter
• Notable Film Roles:
  • Judy Warren in Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
  • Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
  • Young Tonya Harding in I, Tonya (2017)
  • Mary Adler in Gifted (2017)
• Notable Television Roles:
  • Emma in The Bad Seed (2018)
  • Young Theo Crain in The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
  • Esther Keyes in The Handmaid's Tale (2021) (Emmy Nominated)
• Awards/Recognition: Grace is one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood, known for her ability to handle complex and emotionally demanding roles.

Grace’s on-set interviews revealed her genuine enthusiasm for the horror genre and the opportunity to play the daughter of famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Her portrayal of Judy was praised for balancing the character's innocence with a quiet strength and a deep understanding of the dangers lurking within her own home.

1. Judy Warren is the True Protagonist and Hero of the Film

Unlike previous films in The Conjuring Universe, which centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), Annabelle Comes Home positions their daughter, Judy, as the main protagonist. The film’s entire premise is built around the idea of Ed and Lorraine being away for a night, leaving Judy in the care of her babysitter, Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman), and Mary Ellen's friend, Daniela (Katie Sarife).

The plot is a direct consequence of Daniela’s reckless curiosity. Seeking closure on her deceased father, Daniela ignores warnings and enters the forbidden artifact room, inadvertently freeing Annabelle from her sacred glass case. Once Annabelle is released, the doll acts as a conduit, awakening nearly every other malevolent entity housed in the room. This includes the Ferryman, the Bride, the Samurai, and the infamous Black Shuck, among others.

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Judy, who has inherited her mother Lorraine’s gift of "sight," is the only one who truly understands the gravity of the situation. While Mary Ellen and Daniela are focused on survival, Judy's unique connection to the paranormal makes her the key to re-caging the doll. She is not just a victim; she is the one who ultimately must use her own burgeoning psychic abilities and knowledge of her parents' work to fight back and restore order before the Warrens return.

2. The Character is Based on a Real Person, But the Timeline is Fictionalized

Judy Warren is the real-life daughter of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film, like much of The Conjuring Universe, takes significant creative liberties with the facts of her life and the timeline of events to suit the horror narrative.

Fictional Judy vs. Real-Life Judy Warren

• The Real-Life Timeline: The events of Annabelle Comes Home are set in 1972. The real Judy Warren was born on January 11, 1946. This means that in 1972, the real Judy would have been 26 years old, not a young girl who requires a babysitter.
• The Cinematic Age Change: The decision to portray Judy as a young girl (around 10-12 years old) was a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to create a more vulnerable and emotionally resonant protagonist for the film’s central conflict. This allows the story to focus on the immediate danger of the Annabelle doll within the Warren home.
• Real-Life Memories: Despite the fictionalization, the real Judy Warren has spoken about her childhood, confirming that she did grow up surrounded by her parents' controversial work and the artifacts they collected. She has memories of the Annabelle doll specifically, noting that its presence was a constant, if sometimes unsettling, part of her life.

The film does include a subtle nod to the real Annabelle doll. At one point, Judy is watching a game show on television where a contestant wins a Raggedy Ann doll, which is the type of doll the real Annabelle was before it was replaced by the more menacing porcelain doll seen in the films.

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3. Judy’s Struggle with Isolation and Her Parents' Work

One of the most poignant aspects of Judy’s character is the emotional isolation she faces due to her parents’ profession. The film opens with a scene that establishes her status as an outcast at school. Because her parents are famous—or infamous—paranormal investigators, Judy is subjected to bullying and is often avoided by her classmates who believe her family is strange or even dangerous.

Her parents, Ed and Lorraine, are loving and protective, but their work inherently puts a distance between Judy and the outside world. The artifact room, a literal vault of evil, stands as a symbol of this isolation. It is a constant, looming threat that she must live alongside. Her struggle is not just against the paranormal entities but against the social stigma and fear that surrounds her family name. This emotional depth makes her final confrontation with Annabelle feel more earned and impactful, as she is fighting not just for her life, but for a sense of normalcy and acceptance.

4. The Recasting Controversy: Why Four Actresses Have Played Judy

The character of Judy Warren has been portrayed by four different actresses across The Conjuring Universe, a fact that has been a topic of discussion among fans. This recasting highlights the different phases of the character’s life and the chronological jumps within the franchise:

• Sterling Jerins: Portrayed Judy in The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2 (2016).
• Mckenna Grace: Portrayed Judy in Annabelle Comes Home (2019), the central focus of this article.
• Summer Fontana: Briefly played a younger Judy in Annabelle: Creation (2017) in a cameo appearance.
• Mia Tomlinson: The most recent news confirms that Mia Tomlinson will be taking over the role of Judy Warren in the upcoming film, The Conjuring: Last Rites (also referred to as The Conjuring 4).

The decision to recast the role for the new film, moving from Mckenna Grace to Mia Tomlinson, has generated discussion, particularly given Grace's strong performance in Annabelle Comes Home. However, recasting is often necessary in long-running franchises to reflect time jumps or to allow a character to be portrayed at a different, more mature stage of life, potentially setting up Judy to emerge as a key figure in future installments of the universe.

5. Annabelle Comes Home is a Backdoor Pilot for Judy Warren’s Future

While the film is titled after the infamous doll, Annabelle Comes Home is fundamentally a character piece for Judy Warren. It serves as a "backdoor pilot," effectively testing the waters for a future where Judy could take over her parents' legacy. The entire plot is designed to force her to step into the role of a paranormal investigator, using her innate abilities without the immediate protection of her parents.

The film's resolution—Judy successfully helping to re-cage Annabelle and survive the night—solidifies her potential as a future protector against the supernatural. The recent casting of Mia Tomlinson as an older Judy in The Conjuring 4 further suggests that the franchise is keen on developing the character beyond her childhood. Fans speculate that Judy Warren will emerge as a central figure in the post-Ed and Lorraine era of The Conjuring Universe, potentially carrying on the family’s mission to keep the world safe from demonic entities. Her experience in Annabelle Comes Home is the crucial turning point, transforming her from a vulnerable child into a seasoned survivor and potential successor to the Warren legacy.