Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong
It is 1981 and Paranormal Investigator team Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) must work together to prove the innocence of a young man on trial for murder. His defense claim? Demonic possession.
Did I mention that THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT opens with a bonkers Exorcism scene? The Film wastes no time throwing you right into the middle of the action, introducing/reintroducing all of the main players in one fell swoop that will leave you gasping in terror. The effects are slightly heavy, but the sound work is impeccable. It makes for a wildly effective Short Film in its own right that really sets the tone of the piece.
Which might be why my main gripe with this latest CONJURING installment (the eighth if you count the spinoffs) is how by-the-numbers it feels. Everything that follows the breathlessly chaotic opening scene has a “seen it done better” quality attached, and the Film’s nasty habit of slamming to black after nearly every scene gives it an episodic feel that becomes positively laboured as it proceeds through its 112-minute running time. I did not think losing Director James Wan would be so detrimental to the Film, but Director Michael Chaves (who last directed Franchise spinoff THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA) lacks Wan’s sense of pacing and his keen eye for relentless scares. Thankfully, Chaves does lean into the bleak, unsettling atmosphere that has been a series hallmark since the beginning; I just wish he knew how to use it more effectively than he does here. And while I was pleased that the Film does not stop dead in its tracks to introduce a future new spinoff character, I was let down by the knowledge that a series that once felt genuinely special now feels mediocre.
All of that said, Wilson and Farmiga are still aces in their lead roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren. They have played and perfected these characters over the course of the last 8 years and bring a palpable energy and chemistry to every scene, no matter what outrageous thing the script is asking of them. Everything they do on screen is compelling and the Film avoids falling apart at the seams strictly based off the energy they put into their performances. I enjoyed the injection of a bit more romance and nostalgia into the proceedings for these characters, but I feel like it could have only improved had Wilson and Farmiga been afforded the time to dig deeper. The Supporting Cast around them is effective in their smaller roles, though I would have enjoyed seeing John Noble getting more scenery to chew and getting to spend more non-possessed time with Ruairi O’Connor.
I had high hopes for THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT after that awesome opening scene and wish it was able to meet those expectations. While it fumbles the whole way afterwards, it avoids being a total disappointment because of the efforts of Wilson and Farmiga. They elevate every moment in a way no one else can, and make the film worth watching. I am not sure of the future of this Franchise, but really, really hope they are able to work together again soon.
Warner Bros. Canada release THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT in select theatres and on Premium Digital and On-Demand on Friday, June 4, 2021.
*Please ensure you exercise caution in observing COVID-19 protocols if seeing this in-theatre.*
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