Director James Wan should know something about delivering pure horror. Having helmed the first ‘Saw’ movie and ‘Insidious,’ ‘The Conjuring’ finds him in familiar territory. A riff on ‘The Amytiville Horror’ features plenty of genuine chills. Ignoring the easy route of visceral gore, his ability to create spooky atmosphere is much appreciated – even when being scared.
Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren are paranormal investigators called to a strange case. Asked by the Perron family to examine some weird happenings at their remote farm house, they receive more than they bargained for. Battling a sinister presence refusing to leave, their skills are tested in unimaginable ways.
It’s appropriate ‘The Conjuring’ is set in the 1970’s as it evokes similar films of the era. Throw in a dash of the TV shows ‘Kolchak: The Night Stalker’ and ‘The X-Files’ and you receive its general ambiance. Stripping the usual genre trappings to its basest level, it mostly delivers true jolts. It is easy becoming involved in the family’s perilous state as the demonic terror increases. Their reliance on the Warren’s abilities – who themselves are dealing with trauma – reveal a fractured group attempting to unite against a deadly enemy.
Whilst consistently engaging, ‘The Conjuring’ falters in its conclusion. Initially resisting the typical horror pyrotechnics, the unfocussed and frantic end spoils the established mood. This is a shame as until then ‘The Conjuring’ carves out its own identity with some finely pitched performances. Roles are made more interesting as they are based on real people. One could scoff at ‘The Conjuring’s’ outlandish moments although its realistic tone gives it much needed edge.
Pleasingly un-reliant on endless gore, James Wan ensures ‘The Conjuring’ shocks. Although certain aspects could have been better it delivers on its spooky promise showing how terror can derive from within.
Movie Review Rating 6 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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