"The Conjuring: Last Rites," the latest and allegedly final installment in the blockbuster "Conjuring" franchise, plunges paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) back into a harrowing battle against supernatural forces. The film addresses a familiar question in long-running franchises: Is it time for these heroes to retire? Initially, Ed and Lorraine find themselves out of the game, lecturing to small audiences, but their respite is short-lived as a new, deeply personal case emerges.

Drawing from one of the Warrens' most publicized real-life cases, the film centers on the Smurls, a three-generation Pennsylvania family tormented by a powerful evil presence. The narrative takes creative liberties by weaving in a direct connection to the Warrens' past: the Smurls are haunted by a cursed mirror that Ed and Lorraine first encountered at the very beginning of their careers, just hours before the birth of their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson). Decades later, Judy, who inherited her mother's clairvoyant abilities, is overwhelmed by her visions, while Ed, lacking such powers, has built his career on unwavering trust in Lorraine's sight.

For its initial hour, "Last Rites" skillfully alternates between the Warrens' and the Smurls' terrifying paranormal experiences, building suspense. While some critics note the film's obvious telegraphing of spooky sequences and a muddled sense of unease that reduces character vulnerability, others found that what remains unseen is far more terrifying than what is shown, leading to genuinely clammy palms and a racing heart. Director Michael Chaves, who also helmed previous entries like "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" and "The Nun II," demonstrates improved form. He deploys commanding images, such as an anxious child’s face reflected in home video playback and the gloomy infinity mirror of a wedding dress shop, though he is occasionally criticized for overcooking pivotal scares.

Despite its familiar horror tropes, "The Conjuring" series has always been a faith-based franchise at its core, embracing the Warrens' unorthodox Christian counseling. "Last Rites" distinguishes itself by turning the Warrens themselves into the central case subjects, with the demons increasingly focusing on their family, relegating the Smurls to peripheral roles. This shift, however, leads some to believe the stakes feel smaller, as the Warrens' faith is never truly in doubt, making the narrative somewhat predictable despite a bloated, franchise-high runtime. Nevertheless, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver their customary extraordinary and subtly calibrated performances, embodying their iconic roles as a devoted couple and genre icons, an enduring and aspirational portrait of marriage.

Upon its release, "The Conjuring: Last Rites" proved to be a sensational box office success, shattering expectations and records. It collected an astounding $83 million domestically in its first weekend, setting a new opening weekend benchmark for Warner Bros. and New Line's "Conjuring" universe, surpassing 2018's "The Nun." This also marks the best start for a horror movie this year and the third-largest for the genre in box office history. Globally, the film earned $104 million from 66 territories, leading to a stunning worldwide launch of $187 million and claiming the largest overseas debut for a horror film, overtaking "It: Chapter Two."

Despite mixed reviews, the film's success is attributed to pent-up demand for blockbusters, strong word-of-mouth, and the enduring goodwill toward the franchise. Produced with a budget of $55 million, "Last Rites" is poised for significant profit margins. The "Conjuring" universe, encompassing nine films including popular spinoffs like "Annabelle" and "The Nun," has now become the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, with a combined gross of $2.3 billion. This phenomenal box office performance has extended Warner Bros.'s remarkable streak as the seventh consecutive release to open above $40 million this year, providing a much-needed morale boost and setting a strong stage for the upcoming fall movie season. While billed as the final installment, its immense financial triumph suggests a return for Ed and Lorraine Warren is far from unlikely.