The Conjuring: Last Rites—7 Shocking Details About The Final Chapter (Release Date, True Story, & Cast)

The latest update on the new *Conjuring* movie is official: it is titled *The Conjuring: Last Rites* and is slated to be the final, terrifying chapter in the main saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Slated for a release on September 5, 2025, this film promises to deliver a definitive conclusion to the cinematic journey of the beloved paranormal investigators, tackling one of their most controversial and media-frenzied cases, the infamous Smurl haunting. The production team, including franchise creator James Wan, has confirmed that this installment is designed to bring the core storyline full circle, ensuring a powerful and emotional send-off for the characters that launched an entire horror universe. This highly anticipated sequel, which serves as *The Conjuring 4*, is set to dive deep into the real-life events that captivated and terrified the public in the 1980s. With returning stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, alongside a fresh creative team and a story rooted in one of the Warrens’ most documented cases, *Last Rites* is shaping up to be a monumental event for horror fans. The focus on the Smurl family’s ordeal—a case involving alleged demonic possession and a house plagued by multiple entities—provides the perfect, chilling material to cap off the primary storyline.

The Conjuring: Last Rites — Essential Production & Cast Profile

The final chapter of the main *Conjuring* series is bringing back the core elements that made the franchise a global phenomenon while introducing new talent to steer the ship for this climactic conclusion. The combination of returning stars and established horror veterans behind the camera ensures the film maintains the franchise’s signature tone and atmosphere.

Key Production Team

• Title: *The Conjuring: Last Rites*
• Release Date: September 5, 2025
• Director: Michael Chaves (Returning from *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* and *The Curse of La Llorona*)
• Screenwriters: Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing
• Producers: James Wan (Franchise Creator) and Peter Safran
• Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Significance: Billed as the ninth installment in *The Conjuring* film series and the final chapter of the main Ed and Lorraine Warren saga.

Confirmed Main Cast (The Warrens & Allies)

The heart of the franchise remains the undeniable chemistry and commitment of its two leads, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who are both confirmed to reprise their iconic roles.

• Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren (Paranormal Investigator)
• Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren (Clairvoyant and Investigator)
• Mia Tomlinson as Judy Warren (Ed and Lorraine's daughter)
• Ben Hardy as Tony Spera (The Warrens' son-in-law and current director of the New England Society for Psychic Research)
• Steve Coulter as Father Gordon (Recurring figure of the Catholic Church in the franchise)
• Rebecca Calder as Janet (Likely a member of the Smurl family, Janet Smurl)

The Terrifying True Story: The Smurl Haunting Case

Unlike the previous film, which focused on a murder trial, *The Conjuring: Last Rites* returns to the franchise's roots: a classic, house-based demonic haunting. The film is directly inspired by the infamous Smurl haunting case, which took place in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, during the 1980s.

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The Smurl case is unique because of the sheer volume of alleged paranormal activity and the widespread media coverage it received, making it one of the most discussed hauntings of the decade.

The Smurl Family’s Decade-Long Nightmare

The true story centers on Jack and Janet Smurl and their four children, who moved into a duplex on Chase Street in West Pittston. The alleged activity began shortly after they moved in, escalating rapidly from minor incidents to full-blown demonic oppression.

The family claimed to have endured a relentless series of terrifying events, including:

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• Physical and sexual assaults by invisible entities.
• Objects levitating and flying across rooms.
• Unexplained, sulfurous odors and extreme temperature drops.
• Disembodied voices, growls, and pig-like snorts.
• The appearance of a shadowy figure, often described as a malevolent demon.

The family alleged that their house was not just haunted by a ghost, but by multiple demonic entities—up to four spirits, including one described as a powerful, malevolent demon. This intense, sustained activity is what propelled the case into the national spotlight, with the Smurls even appearing on television and in numerous news publications.

The Warrens’ Involvement and the Media Frenzy

Ed and Lorraine Warren became involved in the case after the family sought help from the Catholic Church, which eventually led them to the renowned paranormal investigators. The Warrens conducted multiple investigations and claimed to have identified a powerful demon and several lesser entities in the home.

The media attention surrounding the case was unprecedented for a haunting, creating a sensation in the 1980s. This public scrutiny and the dramatic nature of the Smurl family’s claims—including the need for multiple exorcisms—provide a fertile and high-stakes backdrop for the film's narrative. The Smurl case is often cited as a prime example of a haunting that crossed the line from private terror to public spectacle, a theme that *Last Rites* is expected to explore.

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Why The Conjuring: Last Rites Is The Perfect Finale

Franchise producer and creator James Wan has been vocal about why the Smurl case was the ideal story to conclude the main *Conjuring* universe. The case's intensity, the unique nature of the entities involved, and the public's reaction make it a fittingly dramatic endpoint for Ed and Lorraine's cinematic journey.

1. A Return to Classic Haunted House Horror

After *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* explored a more courtroom-drama-meets-horror approach, *Last Rites* is confirmed to return to the classic haunted house formula that made the first two films so successful. The Smurl home’s multi-entity haunting provides a wealth of traditional horror elements: poltergeist activity, physical manifestations, and a profound sense of dread that is integral to the franchise’s atmosphere. This move is a strategic return to form for the finale.

2. The Highest Stakes: A Demonic Family Attack

The Smurl case, with its allegations of physical and sexual assault by the entities, represents an extreme level of demonic oppression. This raises the stakes significantly, placing the Smurl family—and by extension, the Warrens—in mortal danger. The phrase "Last Rites" itself suggests a final, desperate attempt to save a soul or a family, hinting at a potentially tragic or definitive conclusion to the Warrens' involvement in the case.

3. Connecting The Universe Through Supporting Characters

The confirmed casting of Ben Hardy as Tony Spera and Steve Coulter as Father Gordon provides crucial connective tissue to the broader *Conjuring* universe and the real-life Warrens' legacy. Tony Spera is the actual current director of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), founded by the Warrens. His inclusion signifies that the film is not just an isolated case file but a culmination of the Warrens’ life work and the continuation of their mission through their family.

4. Michael Chaves' Vision and James Wan's Approval

Director Michael Chaves, who has worked closely with James Wan on multiple *Conjuring* universe projects, is back to helm the finale. Wan, who serves as a writer and producer, has expressed confidence that the Smurl haunting was the "perfect tale to end The Conjuring Universe with." This collaboration ensures that the film maintains the established visual and thematic continuity while providing the necessary emotional weight for a series finale. The film is expected to explore the early days of Ed and Lorraine's career, with flashbacks featuring younger versions of the couple, providing a complete look at their journey from start to finish.

As the September 5, 2025 release date approaches, anticipation is building for a film that promises to be the darkest, most intense, and most definitive chapter in the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren. *The Conjuring: Last Rites* is not just another horror movie; it is the final bow for a horror legacy.