The supernatural entities depicted in 'The Conjuring' film series might be fictional, yet the depicted family hardships were truly experienced.
The much-anticipated horror film, "The Conjuring: Last Rites," is set to hit theatres this weekend, continuing the successful Conjuring franchise. With a combined box office revenue of over $2 billion, making it the most lucrative horror movie franchise in history, the series has captivated audiences worldwide.
At the heart of the Conjuring universe are Ed and Lorraine Warren, a real-life couple who gained notoriety in the 1980s for their alleged ghostbusting exploits. The latest film, "The Conjuring: Last Rites," is based on a case involving the Smurl family, whose haunting was reported in various media interviews. Jack and Janet Smurl claimed that a demon was causing harm to their family, including their four young daughters, and even sexually assaulting at least one parent.
Tony Spera, the boyfriend and later husband of Judy Warren, the daughter of Ed and Lorraine, appears in the film, with real-life Spera and Judy making cameo appearances. Tony Spera also directs the New England Society for Psychic Research, an organisation started by the Warrens.
In a twist of events, one of the family members, Arne Cheyenne Johnson, was later involved in a murder case. The Warrens encouraged Johnson to plead not guilty by reason of demonic possession, a move that has been criticised by scholars like Grady Hendrix, a bestselling author of horror novels and a scholar of the occult in popular culture. Hendrix has expressed concerns about the Warrens' lack of training or clinical background and their profiting from cases of distressed individuals.
The son's family claimed that he exhibited unusual behaviours, such as quoting from the Bible, spitting at and hissing at people. In 2010, family members sued Lorraine Warren and the writer of a book about the case.
The director of "The Conjuring: Last Rites," Michael Chaves, worked closely with the Smurl sisters while making the movie. The 2021 movie "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" is based on a real family whose preteen son exhibited similar unusual behaviours.
Ed Warren passed away in 2006, and Lorraine Warren followed in 2019. Vera Farmiga plays Lorraine Warren in the movie "The Conjuring: Last Rites."
Grady Hendrix has also raised concerns about the portrayal of untreated mental health disorders, abuse, and self-harm in horror movies. As the Conjuring franchise continues to captivate audiences, it is essential to remember the real-life implications of these stories and the ongoing debate surrounding the actions of the Warrens.
