But the scares that the film delivers, if less than bone-chilling or deeply, deeply creepy, are consistently satisfying. Its climax, for instance, involves an amateur Catholic exorcism that makes “The Exorcist,” William Friedkin’s pioneering 1973 possession drama, seem like a documentary. There are times when “The Conjuring” itself could use a bit more restraint. Although “The Conjuring” exploits a melange of fright-inducing techniques - including ones cadged from “ The Exorcist” and the “ Chucky” movies - it wields them, for the most part, more judiciously than Wan’s “ Insidious.” That 2010 film started strong before flying way off the handle, with a demon that looked like Darth Maul crossed with Gene Simmons in his Kiss makeup. Their characters keep the film grounded, even when it wobbles and threatens to lose its balance.įortunately, director James Wan also knows his way around a haunted house. With their scientific equipment and professional demeanor, they’re more like supernatural termite inspectors than the “demonologists” that they advertise themselves to be. When things get out of control one night - about the time a female poltergeist tries to body slam one of the daughters from the top of a haunted antique wardrobe - the Perrons invite the Warrens over to have a look-see.Īs played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, the Warrens bring a sort of deadpan credibility to the admittedly far-fetched goings-on. Thankfully, there are no bleeding walls, though the movie does bear an obvious debt of gratitude to “ The Amityville Horror,” the real-life setting of which was also, coincidentally, investigated by the Warrens. and miscellaneous visits by things that go bump in the night. Then there’s a foul odor, followed by unexplained cold spots, clocks that stop at 3:07 a.m.

The action takes place in a 150-year-old Rhode Island farmhouse, where, almost immediately upon moving in, Roger and Carolyn Perron (Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor) and their five daughters start to experience disturbing events.įirst the dog won’t come inside. Set in 1971, the story is said to have been inspired by the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a husband-and-wife team of paranormal investigators. If it isn’t quite up there with such classics of the genre as “ The Haunting” (1963 version, please) or “ The Others,” it isn’t far behind. Based on the highly scientific DLPG scale - measured by the number of times I looked over my shoulder as I hurried through a Dimly Lit Parking Garage after the movie - it’s a well-above-average thriller. “ The Conjuring” is one heck of a ghost story.

About time movie 2013 review