As of Monday, Sep. 8, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” has hit a landmark Box Office record of $194 million internationally, of which $84 million comes from the domestic market, reported by Box Office Mojo. The return of Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) overtakes 2017’s “It,” the previous horror benchmark at $190 million global opening.
Promoted as the ninth installment and, to a certain extent, the end to The Conjuring Universe, the film is based on the real-life alleged haunting of the Smurl family. In 1986, Jack and Janet Smurl, along with their family, move into a new home in Pennsylvania, which quickly turns into a devastating nightmare as mysterious entities start terrorizing them through a possessed antique mirror.
While spinoffs are already underway, the film is promoted as the finale of the Warrens’ journey, drawing loyal audiences to their nearest theatre to watch their favorite paranormal investigators on screen one last time, expecting a satisfying ending to a decade’s worth of storytelling. Over the past 12 years, this universe has not delivered a single flop, despite varied critiques on the unstable quality of each movie. Even "The Nun" (2018) - the story with the worst reviews at 24% critic score and 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes - surprisingly conjured Box Office at $366 million. With the Warrens’ final investigation dominating all markets on its opening weekend, Warner Bros’ hot streak marks another historic milestone.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Executive Producer Peter Safran makes it clear that “You can watch this movie never having seen a Conjuring movie and have a totally satisfying viewing experience, but if you're a little bit more of a dedicated Conjuring fan, there's a lot in this for you that maybe a more casual viewer wouldn't necessarily pick out.” So, whether you have been a loyal fan of the alleged hauntings since day one or simply need a thrilling break from assignments, make sure to pass by the nearest cinema, grab a popcorn and enjoy the chilling tale of the Smurl Family.
Local showtimes
Ashley Square Cinema now showing “The Conjuring: Last Rites”:
Friday: 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 p.m.
Sunday: 5:30 p.m.
