Written by: Kevin Berge
People really got to vet their houses for creepy murder history. (Image Courtesy of: syfy.com)
Quick Take: The Conjuring is one of the most impactful modern horror films ever made, both genuinely frightening and franchise building. With strong direction and dramatic acting, the first film may be the best film in a solidly building franchise.
***This review will contain spoilers for the entirety of The Conjuring. If you have not seen this first film and plan to do so without any details of the plot spoiled, please do not read past this point.***
Horror franchises have often been a disappointed fare of diminishing returns. Even those invested from the outset are left with less and less to grasp with time. The problem is that studios are behind these franchises more than creators, and the movies run out of creative steam quickly.
When The Conjuring was released, few knew what they were in for. It was not obvious this was the beginning of a new kind of horror franchise, one that could truly stand the test of time due to its wealth of possibilities.
The Conjuring is the horror response to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a series of interconnected horror movies that share common narrative ground. You have more grounding in watching each movie by knowing the previous film, but it is not required to be completely up to date.
This first movie had the monumental task of introducing the world and its potential while also telling one cohesive story on top. Even more than any other film in this franchise, The Conjuring succeeds on all fronts because the creators knew what story they wanted to tell and set up next.
The demonologists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are often relied upon by the Catholic Church to handle dangerous hauntings. Lorraine is a medium, who can tap into the world beyond, while Ed has knowledge to spare on these deadly beings and their effect on people.
Together, they are called to the newly owned home of the Perron family: Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn (Lili Taylor) with daughters Andrea (Shanley Caswell), Nancy (Hayley McFarland), Christine (Joey King), Cindy (Mackenzie Foy), and April (Kyla Deaver). This home is haunted by accused witch Bathsheba Sherman and her son, who died on the land.
Bathsheba seeks to reek as much havoc as possible, especially on the Warrens attempting to remove her. She follows the Warren's home and enlists the help of the dangerous possessed doll Annabelle that the Warrens have locked away. With time running out, Ed exorcises the spirit from Carolyn to save the family and themselves.
Horror franchises have often been a disappointed fare of diminishing returns. Even those invested from the outset are left with less and less to grasp with time. The problem is that studios are behind these franchises more than creators, and the movies run out of creative steam quickly.
When The Conjuring was released, few knew what they were in for. It was not obvious this was the beginning of a new kind of horror franchise, one that could truly stand the test of time due to its wealth of possibilities.
The Conjuring is the horror response to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a series of interconnected horror movies that share common narrative ground. You have more grounding in watching each movie by knowing the previous film, but it is not required to be completely up to date.
This first movie had the monumental task of introducing the world and its potential while also telling one cohesive story on top. Even more than any other film in this franchise, The Conjuring succeeds on all fronts because the creators knew what story they wanted to tell and set up next.
The demonologists Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are often relied upon by the Catholic Church to handle dangerous hauntings. Lorraine is a medium, who can tap into the world beyond, while Ed has knowledge to spare on these deadly beings and their effect on people.
Together, they are called to the newly owned home of the Perron family: Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn (Lili Taylor) with daughters Andrea (Shanley Caswell), Nancy (Hayley McFarland), Christine (Joey King), Cindy (Mackenzie Foy), and April (Kyla Deaver). This home is haunted by accused witch Bathsheba Sherman and her son, who died on the land.
Bathsheba seeks to reek as much havoc as possible, especially on the Warrens attempting to remove her. She follows the Warren's home and enlists the help of the dangerous possessed doll Annabelle that the Warrens have locked away. With time running out, Ed exorcises the spirit from Carolyn to save the family and themselves.
Stop putting dangerous demon-possessed objects in your home no matter what you do to sanctify them. (Image Courtesy of: warnerbros.com)
What makes this whole story work is the level of craft behind the film. Horror movies can often be a quick and easy cash grab for studios, and the genre is often looked down upon by many in the industry. For this reason, great directors and actors have avoided the genre until recently.
The evolution of horror has opened up new avenues and set up directors James Wan (Insidious) to step in and shine. In some ways, Wan's direction in horror has made him especially influential, helping define the mainstream horror scene for the past decade.
This movie is creepy and unnerving. The camera lingers just a little too wide, making the audience notice the empty space where something could appear. False jump scares are replaced by the failed release of tension when the promise of a jump scare is left for a later moment.
This sense of inevitability is in its own way just as terrifying. It is the same horror that makes one afraid to walk through a dark hallway. You may never actually see any horrors, but the imagination runs wild with the possibilities. The Conjuring is filled with possibility that is only truly brought to a climax late.
Writers Chad and Carey Hayes (House of Wax) may not reinvent the wheel with their screenplay, but it allows so much of that set up that Wan can capitalize on. This is a fairly conventional horror movie on paper that shines due to how much was put behind it.
Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy) are the dramatic glue of the movie, adding gravitas to the film. Their presence often elevates the material, particularly because of how serious they take it.
Ultimately, what this movie brings to horror is a sense of blockbuster impact. It sets a foundation with a terrifying film experience all its own that also introduces a character like Annabelle that lingers in the mind long after the movie is over because her story is left unfinished for the moment.
The evolution of horror has opened up new avenues and set up directors James Wan (Insidious) to step in and shine. In some ways, Wan's direction in horror has made him especially influential, helping define the mainstream horror scene for the past decade.
This movie is creepy and unnerving. The camera lingers just a little too wide, making the audience notice the empty space where something could appear. False jump scares are replaced by the failed release of tension when the promise of a jump scare is left for a later moment.
This sense of inevitability is in its own way just as terrifying. It is the same horror that makes one afraid to walk through a dark hallway. You may never actually see any horrors, but the imagination runs wild with the possibilities. The Conjuring is filled with possibility that is only truly brought to a climax late.
Writers Chad and Carey Hayes (House of Wax) may not reinvent the wheel with their screenplay, but it allows so much of that set up that Wan can capitalize on. This is a fairly conventional horror movie on paper that shines due to how much was put behind it.
Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy) are the dramatic glue of the movie, adding gravitas to the film. Their presence often elevates the material, particularly because of how serious they take it.
Ultimately, what this movie brings to horror is a sense of blockbuster impact. It sets a foundation with a terrifying film experience all its own that also introduces a character like Annabelle that lingers in the mind long after the movie is over because her story is left unfinished for the moment.
