The Conjuring (2013) Review - Insomniac's Cinema

The Conjuring (2013) Review by Insomniac's Cinema

Rating: 78/100

*clap clap*


Did I scare you? No? Well, it works better in  video reviews... Anyway, The Conjuring  is yet another haunted house movie directed by James Wan. Patrick Wilson and Vera Varmiga star as Ed and Lorraine Warren, two demonologists who help families all  around America get rid on the demons haunting them. The film is marketed as "based on a true story" but since this can get slapped on almost any movie these days I  did some research to find out how true this statement was. I was surprised to find that Ed and Lorraine Warren were actual demonologists who were active during the middle to late 1900's (They were some of the first people to investigate The Amitiville Horror house!) I also found out that the Perrons are also based on a real family that was supposedly "haunted."



The Conjuring follows the Perron family (Carolyn, Roger and their five daughters) during 1971 when they are busy moving into a new house. From the first day strange things start to happen (like all the clocks in the house stopping at 3:07 am.) After a night on which Carolyn gets trapped in the basement and their eldest daughter gets attacked by a supernatural being, they decide to contact the Warrens. At first Ed is unsure about taking the case but does give his consent after Lorraine speaks to him. The Warrens then start their investigation but things go farther than they ever anticipated when the haunting starts to affect the Warrens' daughter as well. Now Ed and Lorraine have to fight harder than they ever have to try and save both the families...

Left: The Real Annabelle. Right: Ed and Lorraine Warren

I thought everyone (even the young girls!) did a well enough job acting wise I just wish that the were less of them. I understand that the real Perrons did have five girls in their family, but the problem is that it's almost impossible for the seven Perrons and the two Warrens to be well developed in a two hour long movie. In the end I thought that only Ed, Lorraine and Carolyn were developed at all...

Patrick Wilson and Vera Varmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren

The same can be said for the demons haunting the Perrons. I know there is one "main" demon, but there are also at least three other ghosts whose stories get cut short or are completely ignored (kind of like all the ghosts in American Horror Story if you know what I mean) Another big problem I had with the demons were that they weren't scary enough (how many times have we seen the dirty, crazy lady in a nightgown or a pale boy in Amish clothes, amirite?) I mean the only thing that gave me a fright was the jump scare in the trailer... If they had kept her appearance hidden longer I think it would've at least made her seem scarier


The director has said that he "modeled the film's cinematography and atmosphere after vintage 1970's horror films" and while I do think this is evident in some fantastic shots I also think it felt a bit forced in other scenes (it's pretty far out, yeah it's groooovy!)  He did however add some really creepy stuff like the whole "hide and clap" game. The part of the movie in which Ed and Lorraine investigate the house was really interesting, I just wish we could see more before the shit hits the fan. Speaking of that, I was kinda dissapointed with the end of the movie, it felt very abrupt and to me it seemed like not all the loose ends were tied up properly. It was however one of the more creepier scenes in the movie...


 
The Conjuring Final Verdict:

So, to sum up The Conjuring is an interesting haunted house movie which told a creepy story but wasn't extremely scary. It was done well even though it didn't bring anything new to the table. I enjoyed it very much but I don't think it's as fantastic as some people are saying. After watching this I am thoroughly exited for Insidious (and even the Curse Of Chucky, thanks to you Annabelle!) 

Rating: 78/100 (Great!)