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The Conjuring
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Terrifying paranormal horror movie based on a true story.
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The Conjuring
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Based on 58 parent reviews
GREAT
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Terrifying theme
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What's the Story?
In THE CONJURING, in the early 1970s, 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?
This horror film provides a treasure trove of typical haunting tricks that seems fresh and terrifying once again. Best known for co-creating Saw, expert horror director James Wan has happily advanced into more sophisticated tales with Insidious and now The Conjuring. Rather than gore, Wan goes for a more old-fashioned, character-based movie here. What's more, Wan plays with the "based on a true story" motif in interesting ways. Rather than remaining stuck 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: it's a collection of edgy, discordant tones that works beautifully with the images. Wan's choice of actors also adds a level of class. Taylor and Farmiga in particular are two of our finest current actresses, and they bring an intense sense of empathy to the screen. Wilson matches them, making it hard not to hope that a series of true-story horror movies based on the Warrens is in horror fans' future.
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
- Inclusion Information: Asian directors, Female actors
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 112 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sequences of disturbing violence and terror
- Last updated: July 27, 2023
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