EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Wilson on raising the stakes in The Conjuring: Last Rites; "Ed doesn’t want to give up"

The Warrens are preparing for one last case. With The Conjuring: Last Rites, Patrick Wilson returns to the role of Ed Warren for what promises to be the most emotionally charged chapter yet. “Ed and Lorraine are older now, and every case takes a toll,” Wilson explains. “Ed’s health is fragile, Lorraine is paying a price, but Ed doesn’t want to stop. That’s the predicament they’re in.”

 

EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Wilson on raising the stakes in The Conjuring: Last Rites; "Ed doesn’t want to give up"

 

The new film is inspired by the infamous Smurl haunting, but this time the danger is more personal. “It’s not just a family in need anymore—there’s more than one family at stake. And Father Gordon, who was usually the one bringing them cases, becomes involved himself, and it goes south. That changes everything.”

 

The story also widens its emotional canvas by focusing on Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson) and her partner Tony Spera (Ben Hardy). “You see the love between Judy and Tony, and for Ed and Lorraine, that’s all a parent wants,” Wilson says. “It’s also about generational change—Ed’s an old-fashioned guy, Tony’s modern. Watching them find a middle ground was both realistic and endearing.”

 

Wilson credits director Michael Chaves for capturing the essence of the franchise. “Michael has such joy and fervour for this series. He wanted Last Rites to honour what the first film meant to people, while also finding creative ways to close the loop. If you’ve seen the earlier films, especially the first, this one will feel like a real payoff.”

 

Saying goodbye, however, is bittersweet. “It’s a mixed bag. The hardest part for me is not working with Vera again. Ed Warren has been part of my life for over a decade. Honestly, I’ll probably still grow the sideburns, just for myself,” Wilson laughs.

 

For Wilson, Last Rites is both a conclusion and a continuation of everything that made the series special. “It’s not just about scares—it’s about family, sacrifice, and love. That’s what kept audiences coming back, and that’s what makes saying goodbye so hard.”

 

For Warner Bros. and New Line, The Conjuring: Last Rites is not just another horror sequel—it’s the conclusion to a billion-dollar legacy. The franchise has consistently delivered outsized returns on relatively modest budgets. With the first Conjuring made for just $20 million and grossing $320 million worldwide, the series became a case study in franchise building for Hollywood.

 

Industry observers are watching closely to see whether Last Rites will replicate the commercial dominance of its predecessors. For Wilson, however, the numbers are only part of the story. “These films worked because they were about family as much as they were about fear. If Last Rites reminds audiences of that one last time, then we’ve done our job.”

Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection,New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood News Today & upcoming movies 2024 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.