For the first time in Bloody Reel history, we have an individual review from the three of us for the same movie! I’m excited that everyone gets to see the various degrees of voice and writing between each of the creators of The Bloody Reel Podcast!
As I’m writing this review, I am getting a laugh out of reading all the differing opinions on The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. (Conjuring 3 here on out since the title is way too long!) I’m not sure I’ve seen so much contradiction on a single horror movie in quite some time, and with such fervor from both sides of the opinion.
The Conjuring 3 was different in many ways from the prior two movies in the series. Is that good or bad? Depends on who you talk to and how you personally view those differences.
The Conjuring 3 had more action and less haunting scares. Is that good or bad? Depends on who you talk to, once again.
The Conjuring 3 had more to do with the people involved surrounding the case than the demon itself. Is that good or bad?
You see where I’m going with this?
I believe how you receive the new installment in the series depends on how you view the first two movies. Also, how you perceive the above-mentioned differences may affect whether you like The Conjuring 3, or not.
I, for one, love the The Conjuring the most of the three as it still gives me horrific chills through the entire movie. The Conjuring 2 was almost as good and with a creative twist to the haunting/possessing spirit, but still goes off big time near the end of the movie. The creep factor is immense, and we get the introduction of the Crooked Man.
The Conjuring 3 focuses a little more on the personal aspect regarding what is going on with the demon. So much so, that the demon almost feels forgotten at times in the middle act. However, the opening scene is one of the creepiest I’ve seen with young David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard) already possessed. Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga respectively) are present helping the priest with the exorcism. An exorcism that has apparently lasted months with little success.
The end result of that exorcism sends the storyline down a different path from the typical Conjuring formula of slow creepy build-up through the three stages of demonic activity: Infestation, Oppression, and Possession. And then a massive pop with crazy scare scenes and battles between the Warrens and the demon the last thirty to forty minutes of the flick. The Conjuring 3 begins at the possession and exorcism, then downshifts and starts the process over, but in a different way.
The focal point becomes Arne Johnson (Ruairi O’Conner), the boyfriend of David’s sister, who was present at the attempt to remove David’s demon. Quickly the movie moves through Arne’s experiences with the demonic activity to where he gets picked up by the police, hands covered in blood, stating that he’s hurt somebody. All of this we know from the previews, so not spoiling anything there.
I thought The Conjuring 3 would focus on the trial and the process of the Warrens trying to prove to the court that Arne was possessed by a demon while performing the heinous act. Thankfully, they only glanced at that in a brief handful of moments.
Thus comes my favorite line in the entire movie when Ed states to Arne’s Defendant after she's shown doubt in bringing the plead of "the devil made me to it..." to the courts: Ed retorts, “Let me introduce you to Annabelle…”. Loved it!
The Conjuring 3 shifts over to the Warrens in their hunt for answers and resolutions to save Arne from being charged as guilty in the case. It is quite the wild ride, as is par for the course in the Conjuring movies. There’s a bit more action from the Warrens in this one, and we get to see the ability of Lorraine’s come to the forefront more than usual. The chemistry between Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga is really enjoyable. They’ve typically focused on this in each of the movies, but perhaps more so here in The Conjuring 3.
People will always compare The Conjuring 3 to its two predecessors, as will I, but if you can manage to refrain from doing that, this movie is spectacular standing alone. As it is, many will think it’s a great compliment to the trilogy that now exists. I am part of that group. However, I will say it is my third favorite out the series, the other two well above it.
I wish there was a little more done with the demon that was involved, as I feel like it got a little lost in the middle to ending of the movie. I definitely enjoyed the ending to the movie, and really loved the opening sequences with Julian Hilliard. That kid is spectacular in this movie and has already created a great stronghold within the Horror genre. Can’t wait to see him in more horror movies. He has quickly become an icon in my favorite genre.
Overall, I liked The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. If you enjoyed the first two you might have already watched this one. If not, I suggest you do. Go in knowing that they have changed up the script and formula a little, but it is still a solid horror flick.
Released: 6/4/2021
Rating: R-Rated
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Director:Michael Chaves (Curse of La Llorona, Chase Champion TV Series)
Writer: James Wan (story by) (The Conjuring 2, Saw, Annabelle Comes Home)
Stars:
Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren (Insidious movies, Conjuring Universe movies, Hard Candy)
Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren (Conjuring Universe movies, Orphan, Captive State)
Ruairi O’Connor as Arne Cheyenne Johnson (The Postcard Killings, Teen Spirit)
Julian Hilliard as David Glatzel (The Haunting of Hill House, Wandavision series)
Sarah Catherine Hook as Debbie Glatzel (Monsterland, NOS4A2)
IMDB Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Rotten Tomatoes: 59%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
Metascore: 53 out of 100
Streamable on these Apps with subscription at time of Blog Post: HBO Max through July 4th, so get going on it!
Rentable on these Apps at time of Blog Post: N/A
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Q4zZS2v1k
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