Michael Chaves’ The Conjuring: Last Rites is an atmospheric and heartfelt farewell with some chilling moments - but is ultimately dragged down by its déjà vu story. Sure, it plays like another blue-collar family versus haunted house retread, but that doesn’t mean it’s without value. The Ed and Lorraine Warren saga has always thrived on heart as much as horror, and this final chapter delivers plenty of that emotional core. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson once again shine as the paranormal power couple (Farmiga is especially in top form), as they are joined by Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy as their grown daughter and her partner. There’s a not-so-subtle passing of the torch in play, though whether audiences want a “next generation Warrens” spin-off remains to be seen. What franchise fans will likely appreciate, however, is the return of a few familiar faces—notably Annabelle. Yep, the killer doll makes what amounts to be a glorified cameo appearance. And while it’s definitely shoehorned in, it’s still welcome. The real weakness lies in the central story, a limp “evil mirror” plot that never quite reflects the terror it’s aiming for. While the flashback opening sequence is a white-knuckle stunner, the scares quickly settle into formulaic jump frights and creepy imagery that feel more serviceable than spine-chilling. By the time the predictable finale rolls around, the film has lost much of its early momentum. Still, as a swan song for Ed and Lorraine, The Conjuring: Last Rites is a bittersweet farewell—more middle-of-the-road than masterpiece, but heartfelt enough to give long-time fans some closure.