With The Conjuring: Last Rites — the final film in the Conjuring horror universe — releasing in theatres today, director Michael Chaves speaks about the film and the impact of the franchise.
The first Conjuring film was released just over 12 years ago. Did you have an inkling of the incredible cinematic universe it would spawn?
I had no idea. I don’t think anyone — maybe besides James (Wan, creator) — knew what it would become. What struck me when I first saw it was the feeling it gave me. Over the years, I have learned that for so many people, The Conjuring was their first horror movie — the one they watched at a sleepover or snuck into with an older sibling. I know that feeling because I felt it too. It was scary, exciting and fun at once. That is the feeling I have been chasing ever since, and especially with this film.
What is it about Ed and Lorraine Warren that make them such a compelling duo in these movies?
It is their relationship — their love and support for each other. That is their superpower. It is simple, powerful and refreshing to see something so healthy and stable on screen. For a lot of people who saw the first movie as kids, Patrick (Wilson) and Vera (Farmiga) as Ed and Lorraine became almost parental figures. Now, with this film, both the audience and Judy (their daughter, played in Last Rites by Mia Tomlinson) have grown up, and you get to see her adult relationship with her parents in a way that feels special.
How have Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga made this journey so special for audiences?
They are incredible — amazing people, amazing actors, and great storytellers. Both of them are filmmakers in their own right, and they approach everything with that perspective. It always feels like we are telling the story together, and they bring every tool they have to the table. Working with people like that is so exciting, and I think it makes the process so much more fun — and the movies so much better — because of their collaboration.
In Last Rites, the stakes are higher than ever before, for Ed and Lorraine in particular. Tell us about the Smurl family and what brings the Warrens to their home...
We chose the Smurls because their case was one of the last in Ed and Lorraine’s career. Since this is the final chapter, it felt right to end with a story that comes at the end of theirs. It is also incredibly powerful and haunting — a demonic presence terrorising a suburban home.
What made it even more meaningful is that we worked directly with the Smurls. All four sisters were involved, from early interviews to being part of the process throughout production. Their case is especially dark. I kept going back to them because it was so important to me to capture their experience authentically. It is that classic haunted house story at its core, and in a lot of ways, this movie is a return to what made the first Conjuring film so effective.
Can you talk about how having such authentic surroundings inform the work and the performances?
We shot in London and we had a team that was coming off of the biggest movies you can name... Star Wars, Harry Potter.... John Frankish was my production designer, and he did a stellar job at creating the world. These are based on true stories. It is centred around the Smurl House, and it was essential to me and also just out of respect to the Smurl sisters, that we recreate that house in every detail possible to the best of our ability. You would not know our exterior from the real one, it is indistinguishable, a perfect match.
On the inside, we took some liberties, just because the real house was actually a duplex, and I made the call early on to just make it one house that everybody shares. Ultimately, I think that was the right call. I hope the Smurl sisters agree.
When you have those authentic details, the actors respond to them and everyone commits to the story. When you have a high level of research, it reassures people that you are taking this seriously and they will rise to the occasion.
We also had an incredible costume designer, Graham Churchyard. Graham has the incredible distinction of working on numerous superhero films, including all three Christopher Nolan Dark Knight films and Tim Burton’s Batman, Harry Potter films… he is the most amazing researcher I have ever met. He can tell you what was the rival high-school team of the Smurl sisters, what their mascot was, and everything, and I was so humbled! I thought I did a lot of research, but I was so impressed by Graham.
Can you share favourite moments or memories from your experience of working on these films?
I have a lot. Especially on this film. It isn’t even so much a specific memory, but a collection of bittersweet memories on this one, as actors were saying goodbye to each other knowing that this was the last time they would play these characters opposite each other. Everyone on set was like: "This is one of the best sets that I have been on".
What are audiences going to be talking about when they leave the theatre after experiencing The Conjuring: Last Rites?
This is the final chapter and so I want a sense that we have come full circle and completed this family (Warrens) story. As much as it is a horror movie and a story of terrible, supernatural, horrific events, it is also a story about this family... bringing this family full circle and concluding their story in a way that is emotional and satisfying.
Courtesy: Warner Bros Pictures