MANILA, PHILIPPINES – When James Wan and Peter Safran introduced The Conjuring in 2013, their ambition was simple yet bold: to craft a supernatural thriller that would reinvigorate the genre. Over a decade later, that single film has spawned a global phenomenon: the Conjuring Universe, cementing its place as the highest-grossing horror movie franchise in history.
On September 3, the saga draws to a close with The Conjuring: Last Rites. For its creators, the milestone is equal parts triumph and nostalgia.
“We just wanted to make one great movie,” shares Peter Safran, producer of The Conjuring: Last Rites and all the other previous eight movies in the franchise. “And so, we’re really proud to be here 14 years later, with all of the tremendous commercial and critical successes that these films have had… I believe you’re always conflicted by the end of something beautiful – I feel happy and sad. But with the series, I’m happy to have been involved with such an amazing group of artists, and that we’ve all gotten to end this journey on a high note.”
Wan, who directed the first two Conjuring films before stepping into a producing role, echoes this sentiment. “For me, ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ is pretty much the end of an era and, because of that, it’s somewhat bittersweet,’ says Wan. “We’ve had such a good time making these films, because it feels like such a family unit. But like all good things… I think we’re finishing up at the right time. It feels like this movie is a good way to wrap up the world, at least for now. It’s been over a decade with the ‘Conjuring’ Universe. I’ve made many acquaintances who’ve become long-term friends.”
At the heart of that family are Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who reprise their roles as real-life paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. “Vera and Patrick have always been the center of these movies,” says Wan. “They have such a great relationship, onscreen and off – they’re such good friends. I think that really comes across and the audience sees how authentic it is. I think it brings much more reality to the characters that they play. It’s a big part of why fans out there love these films. I have always said, ‘They come for the fright and the scares, but they really stick around for Vera and Patrick.’”
Director Michael Chaves, who previously helmed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) and The Nun II (2023), takes the reins once more for this climactic chapter. “I’ve been so lucky to be part of the ‘Conjuring Universe.’ Saying goodbye to this experience – and to the friends I’ve made along the way – has been really emotional. Vera and Patrick have always been our secret weapon. They’re the heart and soul of these films, and it’s their talent and who they are as people that have shaped these movies from the start. These films ended up being family stories in a way not a lot of people expected – big family stories with plenty of scares.”
As The Conjuring: Last Rites prepares to haunt cinemas worldwide, it marks not just the conclusion of a franchise but the celebration of a cultural touchstone that redefined modern horror. For Wan, Safran, Chaves, and their collaborators, it is a fitting farewell to a legacy built on fear, faith, and family.
The Conjuring: Last Rites opens in Philippine cinemas on September 3.
