The third and final sequel in the “Conjuring” trilogy is here! This horror is set to give you nightmares if you’re not prepared, making you jump and pull the blanket over your eyes. Director Michael Chaves takes a slightly new approach to industry and is ready to make his mark on this historic saga.

The dynamic horror film duo Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson returned playing Lorraine and Ed Warren, respectively, in the third film. This true story adaptation takes place in Brookfield, Connecticut, as young Ruairi O’Connor (Arne Johnson) takes on a demon to save his girlfriend’s little brother from the Devil’s possession. Unknowingly on February 16, 1981, Arne killed his landlord Alan Bono. With the help of Ed and Lorraine, they plead innocence on terms of demonic possession.  The rated R movie was released on June 4 on HBO Max.

This movie wasn’t very different from other horror films. There was a creepy old man, jump scares, and eerie music. Also, it’s based on a true story. The one thing that stood out to me about the film was Michael Chaves, the director of this movie, and others like “The Exorcism”, who took an investigative approach to it. Ed and Lorraine try to find evidence to prove Arne’s innocence throughout the plot, even working with cops discovering lost bodies.  I loved this approach to a horror film because rather than focusing on the court case, they decided to focus on the hunt.

After their first conflict with the Devil, the demon hunters are faced with a new problem: Ed Warren develops a heart condition from the very touch of the demonic spirit. This causes setbacks down the line, leading to Ed’s arteries clogging when chasing Devil worshippers and demons. Although his health and medicine didn’t make a real impact, I liked the chance of his death lurking behind every scene.

The cinematography and CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) was nothing special, but it did the job.  The franchise is at its scariest when it doesn’t rely heavily on the CGI creatures. It’s best when it focuses on the inherent eeriness of the darkness and what it hides, instead. In “The Conjuring 2”, the longer and closer we stare at the computerized Crooked Man and The Nun, the less terrifying they become. This has been a very big problem in the industry and shows up in big films like “IT”.

The most important part of every movie is the music, especially in a gripping horror movie like this one.  All movies these days have amazing graphics and music that flow well and this movie was nothing different. The way things crawl and move in the shadows and disappear in an instant as the music comes to a stop brings back memories of some all-time classics. “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” does not fall short.

Three notable things made me like this movie far less than I should have. One, it turns into a test of love between the demon hunters Ed and Lorraine. As Ed is fighting his illness and Lorraine’s demonic visions, they learn that their love is the only thing strong enough to fight the Devil. Though, it makes the movie more personal as we see how they first met and how their child has grown. This didn’t appeal to me because it felt forced and some flashbacks weren’t needed.  It comes off like we will be seeing the end of them in this horror film saga.  Two, the relationship between Arne and the Warrens seems impersonal and weak. They share almost no screen time and are really only seen talking in the courthouse and in the beginning when David (Arne’s girlfriend’s brother) is possessed. Three, the ultimate villain (a devil worshipper) turns out to be a priest’s daughter which didn’t make any sense to me at all.

Overall, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” has its pros and cons. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens offer the same great performances we’ve already grown accustomed to. The CGI, special effects, and music had a perfect blend of not too much and not too little. The plot never slowed down and once the chase started the audience was put on the edge of their seats for the remainder of the movie. Yet, cons include the boring jump scares every horror movie has, a repetitive conflict, and the force of a devil worshipper.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who is familiar with the “Conjuring” universe because this is the third movie in the trilogy and viewers would understand scenes a little better.  For beginner horror movie watchers, I recommend watching the first two “Conjuring” movies and “The Nun”, “Anabelle”, or “The Curse of La Llorona” before trying this one out.

6.5/10