Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrifying paranormal horror movie based on a true story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Conjuring
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 68 parent reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 349 kid reviews
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE CONJURING, it's the early 1970s, and the Perron family—Roger (Ron Livingston), Carolyn (Lili Taylor), and their five daughters—move into a new home in the Rhode Island countryside. Before long, they start encountering strange noises and smells, stopped clocks, slamming doors, and figures lurking in dark corners. So the Perrons approach paranormal investigators Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) for help. The Warrens believe a demon is causing the trouble, and when Carolyn becomes possessed, they must get approval from the church for an exorcism. Unfortunately, Lorraine's clairvoyant abilities have taken quite a toll on her physical strength, and Ed worries that she might not survive their latest adventure.
Is It Any Good?
The first of what would become a franchise spanning several sequels and spin-offs is a spooky, effective throwback to the conventions of 1970s horror. Best known for co-creating the Saw series, director James Wan goes for a more old-fashioned, character-based exorcism/possession story in The Conjuring, opting for atmospheric scares rather than slasher gore. What's more, Wan plays with the "based on a true story" motif in interesting ways. Rather than remaining focused on facts, he uses the story in more metaphysical ways, suggesting that both demons (and angels) could actually exist.
The movie's inspired music score is key: The edgy, discordant tones work beautifully with the Gothic images on display. Wan also assembles a fine cast of actors, with Wilson and Farmiga as the resolute investigators and Taylor standing out as a frenzied mother who's desperate to understand what's happening to her family. Watching this first Conjuring, it's easy to see how this would turn into such a long-running franchise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Conjuring's violence and how it's presented. How much is actually shown? What's scarier: lots of gore and blood, or "suggested" scares? Why?
What makes this movie scarier or less scary than other horror movies you've seen?
What do you think about the real-life aspects of the movie? Does the movie make you believe in ghosts and demons? Does it make you want to learn more about the Warrens?
Are the Warrens role models? How do they help out the Perron family?
What's the appeal of demon possession/exorcism movies? What do they have to say about the world?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 19, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2013
- Cast : Lili Taylor , Patrick Wilson , Vera Farmiga
- Director : James Wan
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of disturbing violence and terror
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate