THE CONJURING (2013)

Summary:

The Conjuring is a chilling supernatural horror film based on the alleged real-life experiences of the Perron family and paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Set in 1971, the movie follows Roger and Carolyn Perron as they move into a secluded farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, with their five daughters. Almost immediately, the family begins to experience increasingly terrifying and malevolent supernatural phenomena, leading them to believe their new home is haunted by a powerful, demonic entity.

Desperate for help, the Perrons reach out to renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, who agree to investigate. As the Warrens delve into the house's dark history, they uncover a tragic past involving witchcraft, murder, and a vengeful spirit named Bathsheba Sherman. The film meticulously builds suspense and terror, culminating in a harrowing battle between the Warrens and the demonic presence, as they fight to save the Perron family from a horrifying possession. The movie is celebrated for its effective use of practical effects, psychological horror, and a strong character-driven narrative.

Keywords: The Conjuring, 2013, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Horror, Supernatural, True Story, Possession, Demonology.

Plot:

The film opens in 1968, introducing paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they present their findings on a haunted Annabelle doll, establishing their expertise in the field of demonology. The main narrative then shifts to 1971, where Roger and Carolyn Perron, along with their five daughters—Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April—move into a dilapidated but charming farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The family quickly discovers a boarded-up cellar, and their dog, Sadie, refuses to enter the house, barking incessantly at unseen forces.

Soon after settling in, the Perrons begin experiencing strange occurrences. All the clocks in the house stop at 3:07 AM. Sadie is found dead in the yard. Christine, one of the daughters, is terrorized by a spirit that pulls her leg and whispers, "I want to kill all of you." Carolyn discovers mysterious bruises on her body. The family is plagued by cold spots, strange odors, and objects moving on their own. Cindy, another daughter, sleepwalks and sees a shadowy figure in her closet. The supernatural activity escalates dramatically, reaching a terrifying climax when Carolyn is trapped in the cellar by an unseen entity, which slams the door shut and taunts her. Convinced their home is haunted by a malevolent force, Carolyn desperately seeks help.

Carolyn attends a lecture by Ed and Lorraine Warren and approaches them for assistance. Initially hesitant due to the potential danger, the Warrens agree to investigate after hearing the extent of the Perrons' ordeal. Accompanied by their assistants, Drew Thomas and Brad Hamilton, the Warrens set up monitoring equipment in the farmhouse. Lorraine, a powerful clairvoyant, immediately senses a profound evil in the house. During their initial investigation, they discover a hidden compartment where they find old documents revealing the house's dark history. They learn that the property once belonged to an accused witch named Bathsheba Sherman, who lived there in the 19th century. Bathsheba, a Satan worshipper, sacrificed her week-old child to the devil and cursed anyone who would take her land before hanging herself from a tree on the property at 3:07 AM, the same time the Perrons' clocks stop. Her spirit, it is believed, continues to torment the inhabitants, possessing mothers and driving them to kill their children.

The Warrens gather evidence of the haunting, including cold spots, ghostly apparitions, and the distinct smell of decaying rot. Lorraine experiences terrifying visions, seeing Bathsheba's spirit and the horrific acts she committed. The haunting intensifies, directly targeting the children. Cindy is trapped in a wardrobe by the spirit, and Andrea is dragged across the floor by her hair. Christine is again confronted by the entity, which appears as a grotesque old woman. The Warrens realize that the haunting is not just residual; it's a demonic infestation, escalating towards possession. They determine that Bathsheba's goal is to possess Carolyn and force her to murder her children, thus continuing her curse.

To perform an exorcism, the Warrens need authorization from the Catholic Church, which requires undeniable proof of demonic possession. They present their findings to Father Gordon, but he explains that the Church's process is lengthy and meticulous. While waiting for approval, the Perron family is subjected to increasingly violent attacks. One night, the entity attempts to possess April, the youngest daughter. Carolyn, while trying to protect April, is dragged by her hair and thrown around the room by an unseen force. The Warrens are forced to take the Perrons to a motel for their safety, but the demon has already latched onto Carolyn.

Back at the Perron home, Carolyn, now fully possessed by Bathsheba, attempts to drown April in the bathtub. The Warrens and Roger rush back to find Carolyn in a terrifying state, her face distorted and her voice guttural. Ed attempts to perform an impromptu exorcism, knowing they don't have official Church approval, but it's a desperate measure to save April and the rest of the family. The demon inside Carolyn fights back violently, mocking Ed and Lorraine, and even using Lorraine's fear of a past failed exorcism to try and break her spirit. The entity forces Carolyn to physically attack Ed, stab Roger, and attempt to harm her daughters. Lorraine, remembering a vision of Bathsheba's death, urges Carolyn to remember her love for her children, trying to break the demon's hold.

In a climactic confrontation, as Carolyn holds a knife to Christine's throat, Ed, despite being injured, continues the exorcism prayers. He reminds Carolyn of her role as a mother and her love for her family. The demon, weakened by the prayers and Carolyn's fight against it, is eventually expelled from her body. Carolyn collapses, exhausted but freed. The Warrens collect the last remaining evidence of the haunting and leave the Perron family to begin healing. The film concludes with the Warrens receiving a call about a new case on Long Island, hinting at future investigations. The Warrens' most prized possession, the Annabelle doll, is shown safely locked away in their artifact room, a reminder of the dangers they face.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
• Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
• Lili Taylor as Carolyn Perron
• Ron Livingston as Roger Perron
• Joey King as Christine Perron
• Mackenzie Foy as Cindy Perron
• Shanley Caswell as Andrea Perron

Crew:

• Director: James Wan
• Writers: Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes
• Producers: Tony DeRosa-Grund, Peter Safran, Rob Cowan
• Cinematographer: John R. Leonetti
• Editor: Kirk M. Morri
• Composer: Joseph Bishara

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: July 19, 2013
• Language: English
• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller
• Running Time: 112 minutes
• Accolades: Critically acclaimed for its direction, atmosphere, performances, and scares. It was a major box office success, grossing over $319 million worldwide against a $20 million budget, making it one of the most profitable horror films of all time. It spawned a successful cinematic universe.