I love a great horror film as much as the next person. But, if we’re being honest, a good one can be hard to come by. And while the Conjuring series might not be the scariest across the board, there are some great stories, enough to keep you watching. And more than a few will leave you questioning the shadows at night. So, will this film keep that series alive…maybe. Remember, a studio made 7 Nightmare on Elm Street movies and those were not as good as the Conjuring Series. This film is about a boy who is in love with a girl. Simple enough until you realize her brother is possessed and the family is distraught over it. The boy is close to the brother, so he feels horrible for him and challenges the demon to take him instead. And that’s where we take off. Can the boy get out of this Pickle and how does he go about it? Also, there is the fact that he is brought up on murder charges for killing someone while he is possessed. So, how does it all play out? Does it feel like you may have already seen this film? I mean, how many possession movies have been made where the story seems to be the same!
The acting is ok. It isn’t anything amazing, but it allows for the suspension of disbelief and is enough for you to invest in the story, though not without strings. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are good as usual. They tend to hold these movies together. The aesthetics and mood lend well to the film, giving you something great to work with if you live to settle into a horror movie. It definitely makes it feel a little eerie and dark. But, there is nothing new or innovative about it. And there doesn’t need to be for this film to be good. The film direction and cinematography aren’t much to comment on, either. Same song, different dance…nothing new. The story is a good one and based on a true story. It is something you will definitely want to read about and flows well through the film. Some of the best horror films have been based on a true story adding to the urban legend of the story they are based on. Researching the real story that the film is based on can be just as entertaining and it can also add to the suspense of the film. It definitely makes the film worth checking out, but fans of the Conjuring Series are going to enjoy it no matter what.
It’s a good entry in the series. Overall, I thought it was a good film. Not amazing and not a disaster. Great for a night in or a date night, especially if you’re a horror fan, but nothing to clear your schedule for. And don’t forget it is on HBO Max for 30 days. I give it an 8 and I would say it is worth a matinee ticket, but not full price. Check it out, but without expectations. If nothing else, if your anxious to see a movie in a theater again after the pandemic, especially a summer blockbuster this latest entry in the Conjuring series is a good one for that.
