The Conjuring: Last Rites is a film made for passionate fans of the franchise created by James Wan. It's not exactly a great feature film (far from it!), but it's an exact reproduction of what has already been successful in the other three films in the main franchise. Here, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the film's best parts) are in their "last dance" while investigating a demon that seems to be inside a mirror. With somewhat tired scares and lackluster direction by Michael Chaves (of The Conjuring 3), the film almost runs out of steam. But it manages to recover mainly due to the performances and the bond created between audience and character over 12 years. There's nothing new here -- and maybe that's really what fans want one last time.
Although the demonic nun (Bonnie Aarons) first appeared in The Conjuring 2 (2016), her origin story unfolds in The Nun, set in Romania in 1952. It’s the first film chronologically in The Conjuring Universe. The plot follows a novice (Taissa Farmiga) and a tormented priest (Demián Bichir) investigating the mysterious suicide of a nun—a mission that becomes a fight for their lives, their souls, and their faith.
It can be said, with some certainty, that The Nun is the weakest film in the Conjuring universe, closely competing with The Curse of La Llorona. In fact, the failure of these two sagas, spin-offs from the Ed and Lorraine Warren storyline, ultimately buried several other productions that were supposed to continue in this horror universe. Therefore, it's not surprising that The Nun II follows the same path as the previous film. Directed now by Michael Chaves (of The Conjuring 3 and The Curse of La Llorona), the feature film once again follows Irene, the young nun played by Taissa Farmiga, who faced Valak in the previous film and now, as if by fate, encounters the demon in the form of a nun once more. While The Nun had a more gothic tone, this new production delves into bloody terror that never tires of exploring different settings; at some point, it seems that Valak is an all-knowing and omnipresent being. It gets tiring. It might be a good option for those who enjoy going to the movies to watch generic horror films and have a good laugh with friends. But, beyond that, it's the lowest chapter in the franchise.
Despite being released after Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to both that film and The Conjuring. Set in 1955, it tells the story of a dollmaker (Anthony LaPaglia) who welcomes a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and orphaned girls into his home, only to face a terrifying evil unleashed through a possessed doll.
Set in 1967, this is the first film of the Annabelle spin-off trilogy. It shows how the doll ends up with a young doctor (Ward Horton) and his pregnant wife Mia (Annabelle Wallis). When a satanic cult invades their home, the doll becomes a conduit for terrifying supernatural events.