The cinematic landscape is currently showcasing a diverse range of films, from the alleged finale of a major horror franchise to an evocative adaptation and a poignant debut drama. This collection of new releases offers audiences varied experiences, exploring themes of paranormal investigation, complex relationships, and societal resilience.

Leading the releases is "The Conjuring: Last Rites," which marks the purported final chapter for real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. The film finds the iconic duo initially out of the game, lecturing to small audiences, before they are drawn back into a deeply personal case: investigating their own haunted daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson). Drawing from one of the Warrens' most publicized cases, the Smurls family in Pennsylvania, the narrative intricately links their experiences to a cursed mirror first encountered by Ed and Lorraine at the start of their careers, just hours before Judy's birth. Judy, who inherited clairvoyant abilities from her mother, finds herself overwhelmed, while Ed's career has been built on his unwavering trust in Lorraine's visions. The film's initial hour cleverly jumps between the Warrens and the Smurls' experiences, building anticipation for the supernatural encounters.

Directed by Michael Chaves, who previously helmed "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" and "The Nun II," "Last Rites" shows improved form with commanding images, despite a tendency to overcook pivotal scares, exemplified by an unnatural flashback. While the "Conjuring" series has often been described as generic and sappy, sometimes relying on jump scares, "Last Rites" shifts focus, offering more character development for the Warrens. Wilson and Farmiga deliver extraordinary and subtly calibrated performances, rightfully earning their status as genre icons. Their portrayal of Ed and Lorraine as two lovers against the world remains an enduring and aspirational aspect of the franchise. However, by centering the story on the Warrens as subjects rather than interlopers, the film risks indulgence. Despite its faith-based heart, the stakes feel smaller than ever, and the highly derivative horror series is criticized for bottoming out by over-investing in its most reliable creation. Clocking in at 135 minutes and rated 15, one review lauded it as a "spine-tingling finale" with a four-star rating, appreciating its effective horror tropes and strong performances, particularly an unsettling climax involving Judy and her fiancé Tony (Ben Hardy).

In contrast, "On Swift Horses," directed by Daniel Minahan and adapted from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, presents an "odd beast of a film." Set after the Korean War, the story follows Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her soon-to-be husband, Lee (Will Poulter), as they pursue the Californian dream. Their plans are disrupted by Lee’s magnetic younger brother, Julius (Jacob Elordi), who leaves for Las Vegas, finding work in a casino and falling into a secret romance with his charismatic coworker, Henry (Diego Calva). Back in California, Muriel embarks on her own double life, gambling at racetracks and discovering an unexpected passion with her neighbor, Sandra (Sasha Calle). Despite the rich material on paper, the film is criticized for not fully delivering. While visually stunning with Andre Chemetoff’s cinematography bathing everything in a "golden haze," it lacks substance beneath the gloss. Aspiring to be a sweeping saga akin to "East Of Eden," the film is ultimately described as all style with little substance, never progressing beyond a "slow trot." It received a two-star rating, running for 119 minutes and rated 15.

Rounding out the diverse offerings is Jasmin Gordon’s debut feature film, "The Courageous." This powerful and heartfelt drama is an "honest portrait of survival, love, and dignity," set against the beautiful landscape of Switzerland’s Valais region. The narrative centers on Jule (Ophelia Kolb), a rebellious single mother of three who steadfastly refuses to give up on her family, battling poverty, past mistakes, and the indifference of the welfare system. Ophelia Kolb, known for "Call My Agent!", delivers a career-defining performance, capturing Jule’s contradictions with remarkable depth. Gordon directs with sensitivity, skillfully blending social realism with poetic imagery without resorting to cliché or sentimentality. Her film bravely shines a light on the often invisible battles faced by the working poor in modern Swiss society, where destitution is frequently a taboo subject. "The Courageous" is celebrated for being both socially aware and profoundly moving, a mature and hugely engaging first feature from Gordon, earning a four-star rating with an 83-minute runtime and a 12A rating.