The Conjuring Review

The Conjuring Review

The Conjuring is based on a true story and has been called the scariest movie of the summer….slash that….it’s the scariest movie of the year.

Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring is based on the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the grandmother and grandfather of paranormal research. The Warrens are said to have investigated over 10,000 hauntings during their career and this story of The Perron family and a farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island was their most terrifying and significant case.

The movie is set in 1971.  Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor) move into an old farmhouse with their five girls and become tormented by the evil spirit of a Satan worshipping witch, Bathsheba Sherman. Carolyn seeks the help of The Warrens played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.

Since I first heard about this movie I have been counting down the days to its release. I have interviewed the eldest Perron child, Andrea and heard all about the true story this movie is based on so I was a bit worried I had built it up too much in my mind and might end up disappointed. It was everything I expected and more. It is set in 1971 and it could have been filmed in that era too. This is  classic horror at its best and can proudly be shelved beside the likes of The Exorcist, The Amytiville Horror and The Omen. You could see many salutes to other classic horrors such as the salute to Hitchcock with a pigeon diving to its death into one of the windows. The movie is so atmospheric and tense. Just when you think one jump is over along comes another one that catches you off guard. James Wan is a horror genius who knows how to take simplicity and use it to his advantage. A simple sudden camera movement and loud noise and you are almost out of your seat. I love Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren. Both Vera and Patrick Wilson were excellent in conveying the special bond between and Ed and Lorraine. All the children also carried an uncanny resemblance to the actual Perron children.  This is definatley going down as one of my favourite horror movies of all time and if rumour is true and The Conjuring 2 is already in the works then as long as James Wan is the director, I will buy my ticket now please. 5/5