Tags
2010's, Based on a true story, Horror, James Wan, Lili Taylor, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Supernatural Horror, The Conjuring, Vera Farmiga
Film Title
The Conjuring
Director
James Wan
- Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
- Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
- Lili Taylor as Carolyn Perron
- Ron Livingston as Roger Perron
Inspired by the case of Ed and Lorraine Warren; paranormal investigators who came to the aid of the Perron family, who were experiencing disturbing events in their home, The Conjuring is a spooky exercise in genuine terror in the old-school vein. You won’t be sitting or sleeping soundly once you’ve seen this movie.
In 1971, Carolyn and Roger Perron move into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island with their five daughters. Yet within days of arrival, unexplainable phenomena beyond any explanation occur. All of the clocks in the house stop at the exact same time, Carolyn is trapped in the basement after hearing noises, she also develops strange bruises with no apparent cause, and one of the girls claims that a force is disturbing her sleep before threatening the family with a warning of death. Terrified, Carolyn and Roger seek out the help of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The couple are paranormal investigators with Ed having studied demonology and Lorraine being a powerful clairvoyant. Ed and Lorraine come to the house and set apart unearthing what the cause of this haunting and evil presence may be. Sure enough, more creepy events ensue for everyone and the evil within the walls refuses to leave. Ed with his knowledge of such things is worried though about Lorraine as while she is a clairvoyant whose senses are immensely powerful, each time she encounters something paranormal and supernatural, it weakens her little by little. Lorraine meanwhile is not the type to just sit around and with steadfast curiosity, she refuses to give up even at the expense of her own well-being.
Ed and Lorraine have found some strange things in the past, but this could be the one to top them all. With determination they venture deeper into the history of the old farmhouse in an attempt to bring whatever resides there out. Yet coming up against the shocking evil that is located in the Perron home proves to be the Warren’s hardest and most personal case, that pushes them way beyond anything they have encountered before.
James Wan successful direction takes its cues from the horror movies of old that were all about the terror of the unexplainable and the unexpected. He is excellent at steadily layering on the horror and suspense with admirable restraint, before unleashing full-on terror when you least expect it. Believe me when I say, the last half of The Conjuring is frightening and so very intense that you won’t have any nails left by the end. Wan is adept at the old phrase that what you don’t see or think you see is a lot more scary than just revealing itself to you. The events depicted are inspired by the findings of Ed and Lorraine, but whether or not you believe the true story angle of The Conjuring is beside the point. The ensuing occurrences of creepiness and spiritual horror are presented without a CGI fanfare that weakens other films of the genre. This approach to the display of events that befall everyone makes the discoveries all the more realistic and even tangible. While the story has one foot in fact, the possibility of the supernatural is also there. This offers a good insight into how the two could overlap with the other, most embodied by the Warren’s themselves who are Catholic yet still believe in the paranormal. There is nary a drop of blood to be found in The Conjuring, which is admirable as it knows the meaning of restraint and how eeriness can be much more effective for scares. I wouldn’t say there is anything shiny or brand new to be found in The Conjuring, yet refreshingly this does not detract from the haunting ambience that the whole piece emits from beginning to end. If I had to choose an area in this film that I was probably most impressed by, it would be the overall visual style and sound effects in The Conjuring, as they neatly balance with the rest of the unnerving movie. The faded visual style gives a worn out feel to the house and events and while being effectively used for ambience, it also constructs a convincing recreation of the 70’s setting to a very high standard. The uneasy score, mixed with the jolts of things that go bump in the night, make sure this film is as haunting as anything in recent horror memory.
Vera Farmiga is the heart of The Conjuring as the sensitive clairvoyant Lorraine Warren. A softly spoken character whose abilities are extraordinary, Farmiga exhibits a resilience of strength but an underlying vulnerability in the part that is extremely well-acted. She registers concern and hopefulness without a drop of sentimentality with relative ease that all adds up to a strong performance of resolute emotion and significant clout. Backing her up is the sagacious presence of Patrick Wilson as her notable husband Ed. He gives off a well-worn charm and quiet depth in the most subtle of ways that perfectly compliments the work of Farmiga. And I must say, that the two share a very good chemistry and working relationship with the other that is very much in evidence throughout The Conjuring. Lili Taylor is extremely convincing as the terrified mother, who is the worst affected by the haunting of her house and whose emotional frailties become more noticeable as the film progresses. Ron Livingston provides understatement and stifled horror as the husband of the haunted property, who is trying to hold it together to protect his family from whatever it is that wishes them malice and harm.
Marvelously rendered with style and suspense, The Conjuring is a refreshingly old-fashioned horror that jangles the nerves from start to finish and never resorts to cheap tricks to get the scares.
Seems you liked this one a lot, V. And it reads like it might actually be a bit scary too!
Cheers, Pete.
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It is legitimately scary Pete, make no doubt at it. Very creepy and effective movie making. And how refreshing to see atmosphere and ambience used instead of blood and guts.
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Great review. This is one of the better horrors. I really love Vera Farmiga!
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It’s one of the best horrors I’ve seen in a while. And Vera Farmiga was excellently cast as Lorraine.
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Have never really got into horrors myself, unlike ol’ Milo. Maybe this would be a good one to start on!
Reuben
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Oh by all means, this is a good introduction to old-school horror.
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Fantastic review V. I too love that it doesn’t have a lot of gore, and yet is one of the scariest movies. Still can’t believe it’s from the same director of Insidious because that one was not scary and this one is
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I am not against gore, but sometimes in movies it is uncalled for. This is a prime example of less is more.
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Great horror film and enjoyable review. I still need to see the second one.
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This is the kind of horror that will always appeal to me. Low on gore, but very high on the spooky atmosphere. Jumped so many times watching this film.
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Huge fan of this picture. Loved the sequel as well. Ed and Lorraine are such great characters.
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It really scared me a lot. I have yet to see the second one.
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I don’t like scary movies but I did enjoy this one
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It’s a very effective and well directed horror.
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Spot on review Vinnie! I really like this movie and the casting was brilliant!😊🙋🏻
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I love anything that has an old-fashioned feel to it. This was like a horror movie of old.
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Exactly! And as you said, it’s amazing how scary a movie can be without showing lots of blood and gore.
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I find that not showing something makes the imagination go into overdrive. Much more effective that just showing what it is for a cheap scare.
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Oh this looks like something I’d like a lot, thanks Vman. Great write up for sure..drew me right in.
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I do my best to draw my readers in with what I have to say. Thanks for the feedback.
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Thanks for the review 🙂
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Anytime, I enjoy reviewing.
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Wow you’ve been watching a lot of horror flicks, Vinnie. Still sleeping OK at night? 😉
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Well after watching this I did have a few strange dreams.
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A very refreshing horror movie. I liked this one a lot.
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I enjoyed how it took its time to tell the story and didn’t feel the need to be gory.
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It seems I am the only one who missed out on this. I actually found myself laughing at parts, maybe it was the mood I was in, but horror movies usually work for me no matter the mood I’m in. I’m gonna give it some time and watch it again, I keep reading reviews like this that praise Wan and become convinced I have missed something
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Oh watch it again Jordan. Turn all the lights off and get the creepy impact intended.
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I’ve seen this movie too many times…hehehe! But everytime it creeps the hell out of me. Espacially the scene with the two sisters in the bedroom, when one is next to the door and the other one is in her bed, terrified and she is saying there’s someone behind the door. Oh god!
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It’s that essence of terror of not knowing what is there that really sold the film to me. I had difficulty sleeping after viewing it I must say.
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I really loved it, but I have to disagree on the cheap scares. While the film is fantastic when it comes to setting up a scary mood, it did, at times, rely on lazy jump scares. I’m not complaining though.
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I can understand what you mean.
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Vera Farmiga FTW! Great film, cheers for the review.
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I must say she is a very talented actress who has never disappointed me. This could very well be her best role.
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She’s also quite good as Norma Bates in Bates Motel.
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You know I haven’t seen that show yet. Maybe I’ll work my way to it.
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I loved Conjuring. I watched it a month or so ago and I was actually scared while watching it. I love horror but nowadays 99% of horror movies are so predictable, it just gets boring. Conjuring is anything but predictable, what you can’t explain and what you don’t see is much scarier indeed. Haven’t watched Conjuring 2 yet.
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It says a lot when a film actually scares you. Like this did with me, I felt so nervous about what would be revealed in the haunting.
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Excellent spooky review (I enjoyed this film too). You certainly are the horror king this month!
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I was spooked so much by this film. I take my place on the throne as I write this.
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This is such a creepy film. The sequel is creepy too, but I think the first one is far superior. This is the type of spooky horror film I like.
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Yes, I’m always one for the psychological terror. There’s so much you can do with it.
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