'Scariest' film in series dubbed 'blueprint for possession movies' out this week

A horror franchise that fans say formed the "blueprint for possession movies" is about to drop its fourth instalment and there are just days left to wait.

Inspired by the cases of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring films each centre around a different notorious haunting. There have also been multiple spin-off films too, including Annabelle, which explored the origins of one of the most famous objects in the Warrens' collection - a supposedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll.

The latest entry in the franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites, explores the infamous Smurl Family Haunting that shook Pennsylvania in the seventies and eighties.

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Married couple Janet and Jack Smurl alleged that a demon had occupied their home and assaulted their family members over a period of 12 years. Their experience was later turned into a book and a TV series, both of which were titled The Haunted.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson will reprise their role as the Warrens for the final time in Last Rites, with the cast also including Mia Tomlinson as the ghost-hunting couple's daughter Judy Warren, alongside EastEnders' Ben Hardy as Tony Spera. It releases in cinemas on September 5.

Viewers at advanced screenings of the film have already been praising the newest entry into The Conjuring universe, with critic, Courtney Howard, writing: "They saved the scariest and most emotional chapter for last with The Conjuring: Last Rites.

"A spooky, creepy, unwaveringly unnerving fright fest of freak-outs and a loving tribute to familial perseverance. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga remain the [heart] and soul."

Screen Rant critic Tatiana Hullender added: "Both from a horror and family drama perspective, TheConjuring: Last Rites is a gripping experience [...] I’ve never rooted for the Warrens more than during this movie, nor have I ever been so concerned for their safety. This film represents the best of the franchise!"

Meanwhile a third critic, Caralynn Matassa, was more cynical in her review claiming it was "not the best of the four and not the worst." Her take prompted one film fan to reply: "As long as it’s better than the awful ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’, I’ll be happy."

Last Rites is set to be the final film in The Conjuring series, with filmmaker James Wan explaining: "We don’t want to be doing this 20 movies down the line, where we’ve driven the franchise into the ground.

"We love the idea that we’re going out with a big bang whilst everyone’s still loving the world, loving the movies, and loving the characters. It just feels right."

The Conjuring: Last Rites is out in cinemas on September 5