The Conjuring: Last Rites brings the ninth instalment to Warner Bros.’ supernatural horror franchise, reuniting audiences with paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Released on 5 September 2025, the film adapts the infamous Smurl haunting case that terrorised a Pennsylvania family during the 1970s and 1980s.
Michael Chaves directs this continuation, which sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their signature roles. The narrative expands the Warren family saga by introducing new performers to portray their daughter Judy at different life stages, alongside significant cameos connecting the broader Conjuring universe.
Who is in the cast of The Conjuring: Last Rites?
| Patrick Wilson Ed Warren (returning) |
Vera Farmiga Lorraine Warren (returning) |
| Mia Tomlinson Judy Warren (new) |
Ben Hardy Tony Spera (new) |
- Wilson and Farmiga return for their ninth franchise appearance together
- Mia Tomlinson replaces Sterling Jerins as the adult Judy Warren
- Real-life Judy Warren and Tony Spera appear in cameo roles during the wedding sequence
- Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor portray younger versions of the Warrens in flashback sequences
- The film features callbacks to previous Conjuring cases through cameo appearances by original cast members
- Steve Coulter returns as Father Gordon, reprising his role from earlier entries
- Ben Hardy joins the franchise as Tony Spera, Judy’s boyfriend and eventual husband
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 5 September 2025 |
| Director | Michael Chaves |
| Screenplay | Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick |
| Box Office | $499.2 million worldwide |
| Based on | The Smurl haunting |
| Previous Franchise Entry | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) |
| Next Franchise Entry | The Conjuring: First Communion (2027) |
| Production Company | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Filming Location | London, September–November 2024 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 58% |
| Metacritic Score | 54/100 |
| CinemaScore | B |
The principal cast list features over thirty-six credited performers, including the Smurl family portrayed by Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Molly Cartwright, Tilly Walker, Peter Wight, and Kate Fahy. Additional support comes from John Brotherton as Brad Hamilton, Shannon Kook as Drew Thomas, and Grace Kemp as Nellie. Source
Who plays Judy Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Mia Tomlinson assumes the role of Judy Warren, the Warrens’ daughter, taking over from Sterling Jerins who portrayed the character in previous franchise entries. This recasting supports a narrative that centres significantly on Judy’s adult life, including her relationship with Tony Spera, played by Ben Hardy.
The film utilises dual casting for Judy, with Emmy Nolan appearing as the 10-year-old version of the character. This temporal expansion allows the narrative to explore different periods of the Warren family history alongside the primary Smurl haunting investigation. Source
The transition from Sterling Jerins to Mia Tomlinson marks a deliberate shift to age the character appropriately for storylines involving Judy’s wedding and adult independence, whilst Emmy Nolan provides continuity for childhood flashback sequences.
A significant meta-textual element occurs during the wedding scenes, where the real Judy Warren and Tony Spera appear in cameo roles, observing their fictional counterparts portrayed by Tomlinson and Hardy. This blending of historical reality with dramatisation reinforces the franchise’s connection to the actual Warren family legacy.
Who plays young Ed and young Lorraine Warren?
Orion Smith portrays young Ed Warren, whilst Madison Lawlor appears as young Lorraine Warren. These castings facilitate flashback sequences that explore the couple’s early relationship and formative paranormal investigations prior to the events depicted in the main Conjuring timeline.
The inclusion of younger versions suggests narrative ambitions to examine the Warrens’ courtship and the development of their psychic and investigative abilities. This temporal layering provides context for their mature partnership as portrayed by Wilson and Farmiga. Source
These flashback sequences distinguish themselves from the 1956 origin story planned for the forthcoming prequel The Conjuring: First Communion, instead focusing on the Warrens’ early professional partnership during the 1960s and 1970s.
Who played the Axe Man in The Conjuring: Last Rites?
No character explicitly identified as an “Axe Man” appears in the available cast listings or plot details for The Conjuring: Last Rites. The narrative concentrates specifically on the Smurl haunting, involving the Smurl family and their encounters with supernatural phenomena in their Pennsylvania home.
Investigative records indicate the Smurl case involved reports of physical assaults, unidentified noises, and apparitions, yet available production materials and cast credits do not reference an axe-wielding antagonist. Source
Despite online speculation regarding an “Axe Man” character, official cast listings and production details confirm no such role exists within the film’s credited ensemble. The antagonistic forces centre on the Smurl haunting entities and the Old Crone Ghost portrayed by Gabrielle Downey.
When did The Conjuring: Last Rites enter production?
- : The Conjuring establishes the franchise foundation, introducing Wilson and Farmiga as the Warrens
- : The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It releases, concluding the initial trilogy arc
- : Principal photography commences in London studios
- : Filming concludes after approximately three months of production
- : Theatrical release by Warner Bros. Pictures
- : The Conjuring: First Communion scheduled for release
Production utilised London locations to recreate the Pennsylvania setting of the Smurl case, with cinematography and production design emphasising the 1970s and 1980s temporal setting. Source
What has been confirmed about the cast and production?
| Established Information | Information Remaining Unclear |
|---|---|
| Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as Ed and Lorraine Warren | Specific streaming platform availability as of March 2026 |
| Mia Tomlinson and Emmy Nolan portray Judy Warren at different ages | Potential deleted scenes or extended cuts featuring additional cast |
| Release date of 5 September 2025 | Specific home media release scheduling |
| Box office total of $499.2 million worldwide | Details regarding unverified “Axe Man” character speculation |
| Michael Chaves directs | Complete list of uncredited extras or stand-ins |
| Script by Goldberg, Naing, and Johnson-McGoldrick | Potential post-credits cameo sequences beyond those documented |
How does The Conjuring: Last Rites fit into the franchise?
As the ninth instalment overall, The Conjuring: Last Rites functions both as a continuation of the Warrens’ cinematic biography and a bridge to future narratives. The film incorporates cameo appearances from actors associated with previous cases, including Lili Taylor and Mackenzie Foy as Carolyn and Cindy Perron from the original The Conjuring, Frances O’Connor and Madison Wolfe as Peggy and Janet Hodgson from The Conjuring 2, and Julian Hilliard as David Glatzel from The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. These appearances occur during Judy’s wedding sequence, creating a reunion of surviving characters from across the franchise.
Director James Wan and producer Natalia Safran also appear in cameo roles, continuing the tradition of franchise architects making on-screen appearances. This approach mirrors similar mythology-expanding strategies seen in other 2025 horror releases such as Cast of Frankenstein 2025, which similarly reimagines classic horror narratives for contemporary audiences.
The film concludes with a “very unique ending” noted by reviewers, potentially setting up narrative threads for the forthcoming prequel First Communion. Wilson and Farmiga have expressed interest in returning for additional sequels should the story warrant continuation. Source
What do sources say about the film?
The Conjuring: Last Rites adapts the real-life Smurl haunting case, with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning as Ed and Lorraine Warren alongside a new generation of cast members portraying their daughter Judy and her eventual husband Tony Spera.
Wikipedia
The film received mixed reviews, holding a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 54/100, indicating average or mixed reception amongst critics.
Rotten Tomatoes
What is the key takeaway about the cast?
The Conjuring: Last Rites represents a generational transition within the franchise, balancing the established chemistry of Wilson and Farmiga against new blood including Tomlinson and Hardy. The casting strategy acknowledges the real Warren family’s continued involvement whilst setting the stage for future prequel narratives. For audiences interested in comparable ensemble casts in recent genre cinema, Cast of Sinners (2025) offers another example of established stars supporting emerging talent in supernatural storytelling.
Frequently asked questions
When was The Conjuring: Last Rites released?
Warner Bros. Pictures released the film theatrically on 5 September 2025 in the United States, where it became the highest-grossing entry in the franchise.
Where can I watch The Conjuring: Last Rites?
As of March 2026, specific streaming or rental availability remains unconfirmed. The film received a theatrical release through Warner Bros., suggesting potential future availability on the Max platform.
Is The Conjuring: Last Rites based on a true story?
Yes. The screenplay adapts the Smurl haunting, a documented paranormal case involving the Smurl family in Pennsylvania during the 1970s and 1980s, which Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated.
Who replaced Sterling Jerins as Judy Warren?
Mia Tomlinson portrays the adult Judy Warren, assuming the role from Sterling Jerins who appeared in previous franchise entries. Emmy Nolan appears as the 10-year-old version of the character.
Will there be a sequel to The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Rather than a direct sequel, a prequel titled The Conjuring: First Communion is scheduled for release on 10 September 2027, continuing the expansion of the franchise universe.
Who directed The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Michael Chaves directed the film, continuing his involvement with the franchise after previously helming The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021).
What is the box office performance?
The film grossed $499.2 million worldwide, including $177.8 million domestically and $321.4 million internationally, making it the highest-grossing Conjuring film to date.
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