Ed and Lorraine Warren were probably the most famous paranormal investigators ever. Be it investigating, lecturing, or authoring, the Warrens built a mini-empire out of their claims of paranormal encounters. The cottage industry they made for themselves spawned a wider industry of psychic investigators, ghost hunters, and demonologists that fill our bookshelves and cable channels today. The Warrens investigated hundreds, if not thousands, of paranormal claims… and debunked nary a one. Many proven hoaxes were given the Ed and Lorraine stamp of authenticity. Those that were not proven hoaxes were, let’s just say, highly questionable.
In other words, the Warrens were full of it.
But if there was one thing Ed and Lorraine Warren were experts at, it was telling a cracking good scary story. So scary were their stories that many of their cases were turned into great Horror films. The most recent example, and absolutely the best film made from any of their cases, was James Wan’s 2013 film THE CONJURING.
More under the fold!
THE CONJURING tells the story of the Perron family. Roger and Carolyn Perron move their family into a run-down, but livable farmhouse in Rhode Island. The area is quiet, idyllic, and seems a perfect place to raise their family. Slowly, strange things begin to happen in and around the house that give the family pause. After the events escalate, Carolyn seeks the help of Ed and Lorraine Warren - at that time already famous for their paranormal investigations. They discover that the house once belonged to a woman named Bathsheba Sherman who sacrificed her baby to the Devil and hanged herself - but not before cursing the land and anyone who lives on it. Eventually, Carolyn herself is possessed by the spirit of Bathsheba and the Warrens must find a way to cast the demon out.
Director James Wan filmed THE CONJURING to mimic the look and feel of the Horror films of the 1970’s like “The Legend of Hell House” and “The Amityville Horror” (another Warren case). John Leonetti’s photography perfectly captures the look of the era, using naturalistic lighting and a floating camera. Joseph Bishara’s atmospheric score captures the sound and mood of ‘70s Horror as well - brining an organic, but subtle approach. This movie belongs to James Wan most of all, though. With THE CONJURING, Wan shows us why he is currently our best director of Horror movies. His sense of mood, motion, framing, and timing are absolutely flawless in this film. Taking his time to build the characters and the story until the screen practically throbs with tension, then letting it go at just the right moment. THE CONJURING is a perfect example of excellent Horror direction.
Yes, Ed and Lorraine Warren were probably frauds. Their claims are always just to ‘perfect’ to take very seriously. They have often, even in the case highlighted in this film, skewered historical facts to fit their narrative. No case of theirs, including the Perron case, could ever be verified by an outside source. It’s really too bad they built their career by spinning stories and claiming them to be true, because they would have made dandy screenwriters. The story surrounding the Perron case still makes for a great tale, and THE CONJURING is an expertly made film that will scare the pants off you - truth be damned!
Parental Guide: Not gory, but really scary. 16+
THE CONJURING fun facts -
The historical Bathsheba Sherman died of natural causes at the age of 73 after having been found not guilty of infanticide. She did not hang herself nor did she curse the town, as the film depicts.
Both Lorraine Warren and Andrea Perron were consultants on the film and claim that the movie is accurate in its depictions of the actual events.
Film composer Joseph Bishara plays the demonic embodiment of Bathsheba Sherman in this film. He also played the old-lady demon in INSIDIOUS. So it is not just the second time he has played a role in a James Wan film, it is the second time he has depicted a female demon.
During some screenings in the Philippines, priests were on hand to bless the theater and counsel filmgoers after the movie ended.
Ed Warren - “The fairy tale is true. The Devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow.“
Cindy - “There‘s a lady in a dirty nightgown that I see in my dreams. She‘s standing in front of my mom‘s bed.”
Ed Warren - “Sometimes it‘s better to keep the genie in the bottle.”