The Conjuring

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. James Wan’s “The Conjuring” - a film that went on to spawn one of the few functioning cinematic universes - uses old-school, tried-and-true horror tactics to construct a satisfying – and more importantly, terrifying – ghost story. It makes you wonder if everyone involved knew, at the time, they were going to succeed where so many other would-be franchise starters failed.

Set in 1971, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) have encountered dozens of cursed artifacts, otherworldly spirits and ghosts. Although some of their most recent experiences have taken a toll on them, they cannot say 'No' to the Perron family when they come begging for help.

"The Conjuring" offers many great individual moments that guarantee a spooky time. We meet the Warrens as they are closing a particularly grim case, that of the (now-familiar) doll Annabelle: a doll that’ll give you nightmares because its few scenes play like a mini-movie. You’re given just the right amount of information to be unsettled by its immobile face. The camera lingers on it for the perfect amount of time. You're never allowed to become acclimated to its look and every time you see it, the tension builds. You're desperate for a cheap scare or any kind of relief. You'll be driven nearly mad, ready to scream “Get out! Get away from her!” at the screen. Whether it’s a made-up children’s game that feels real used to summon shrieks from everyone watching, or the tried-and-true “look in a mirror and see something standing behind you”, people who want chills will find no shortage of them here.

The monsters and creepy stories are ultimately in the service of nicely-drawn characters. There are a lot of people to keep track of and some don’t get a whole lot of development but the picture does a marvellous job making you feel for Carolyn (Lili Taylor), Roger (Ron Livingston) and their five daughters (Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy and Kyla Deaver). There are no bratty kids or people who make stupid moves to “earn” the punishment they’re receiving. They’re nice people and you hope the Warrens can help them. As Lorraine and Ed methodically gather information and show genuine concern for the family, it’s like the best episode of “Ghost Hunters” you’ll ever see, and not only because all their tactics actually pay off in a big way.

Written by Chad and Carey W. Hayes, "The Conjuring" steadily builds dread. It uses darkness, whispers, characters’ reactions and the right amount of mystery to make you understand the terror the characters feel. This compels you to pry your hands away from your face and keep your eyes open to see what’s next. Not everything “The Conjuring” does is new, but it uses familiar elements so effectively, the new toys it brings to the playground are so good, and the results are so scary it’s sure to have a long life. (September 8, 2018)