It’s being described as one of the best horror films to have come out of Hollywood in a while.

While it remains to be seen whether The Conjuring will make it to hallowed horror lists starring films like The Shining and The Exorcist, it sure has managed to spook viewers in Calcutta ever since it hit theatres on August 2.

The true story of the Perron family of seven who shift into a dilapidated Rhode Island farmhouse only to fall prey to its paranormal activities, The Conjuring has been drawing in the crowds even in its fourth week.

At Fame South City, the James Wan-directed film starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Lili Taylor has been registering footfalls of around 50 per cent on weekdays and 70 per cent on weekends. Released with just two shows a day, The Conjuring now has four shows a day at the South City plex, a rare feat for a Holly film.

“The word-of-mouth has been very strong and we have had horror film lovers coming back for a second or third watch. Despite the Bollywood releases (Chennai Express, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara and Madras Cafe), The Conjuring has managed to hold its own,” said an official of a city multiplex.

Cinemax at Mani Square, which was playing The Conjuring once a day from Friday last, doubled its shows from Tuesday. “The film is giving us good numbers and so we decided to add a morning show,” said regional general manager Swaraj Sadhukhan.

Produced by Warner Bros, The Conjuring has become a smash hit all thanks to fans like Nilanjana Das who has already watched it thrice. “I just loved the feeling of foreboding that surrounds the film from first to last. It’s not the scariest I have watched, but it definitely manages to spook,” said the software professional.

Even worldwide, The Conjuring has managed to rake in the big bucks. Made on a budget of $20 million, the film earned $41million in the first weekend itself. As of August 25, its worldwide collections stood at a whopping $220 million.

Even as audiences troop in for a repeat watch, the film has also won over critics with Rotten Tomatoes — the go-to website that tracks film reviews worldwide — giving The Conjuring an approval rating of 86 per cent. That’s way higher than even the year’s biggest box-office hit — Iron Man 3 at 78 per cent!

Aashna Malpani, La Martiniere for Girls
A string of perfectly directed scenes of pure horror following each other, mentally scarring you for a lifetime!

Ritwik Sen, Techno India
The Conjuring is a very fine attempt at horror. There’s brilliant use of make-up and music and the camerawork is superb.

Disha Raychaudhuri, Jadavpur University
I watched almost all of it through the slits between my fingers! My dark circles are due to lack of sleep after watching it. That it is based on a true story just makes it worse.

Dishari Sarkar, NUJS
It’s the scariest film I’ve watched after The Amityville Horror. Vera Farmiga’s acting is superb. After seeing this film, I’m scared of hearing claps.

Sayon Banerjee, Jadavpur University
A mash-up of the most popular horror cliches, but the brilliant editing and capable direction make it a blood-curdling watch.

Shayantan Roy, Jadavpur University
It works largely because of its clever use of age-old horror tropes in a truly innovative way. It has every familiar element of the genre packed into one — a ghost doll, a haunted house, creepy witch folklore, an exorcism, paranormal investigation — all of which add up to a gleefully scary watch!

Is The Conjuring the best horror film you’ve watched? Tell t2@abp.in