Based on the real life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played here by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), The Conjuring finds director James Wan building on what he started with Insidious, bringing genuine scares to the horror genre after what seems like years of over the top gore and endless strings of remakes. Referencing pretty much everything from the Big Book of Scaring People Senseless (I'm pretty sure this book doesn't actually exist), Wan has constructed a sleek, old school horror which chokes the audience with atmosphere, and delivers well crafted scare after well crafted scare.
In 1971, the Perron family, made up of Roger (Ron Livingston), Carolyn (Lili Taylor), and their five daughters, find themselves beset by mysterious forces after moving into a dilapidated farm house. When the events begin to escalate and start hurting the family, the Warrens are called in to help. Arriving at the farm, the pair discover something far more dangerous than previously thought.
The Conjuring is the type of horror movie we haven't seen in a long time, comparable to The Exorcist or the original The Amityville Horror (which was also based on a case the Warren's investigated, and gets a reference here), and echos the cinematic style of the era it is set. Masterfully shot by cinematographer John R. Leonetti (a frequent collaborator with Wan), the film takes its time building the tension and atmosphere, letting us get to know both families, making us care about them all that more. The performances are somberly delivered, not even threatening to go over the top when presented with the films more out there elements. Wilson and Farmiga have a great chemistry together, perfectly selling the Warrens as a loving couple, adding some emotional meat to proceedings.
The shocks come slow and steady for much of the first and second act, each scare building from the last, until you can just imagine Wan said "alright, now to really mess with them", and turns everything up to 11 for an insane third act. It's all about the practical effects here, with very little in the way of CGI, which makes the film all that more effective. Wan never falls back on a cheap scare, every jump and chill crafted with great care to ensure the proper reaction from the audience. The story is as well crafted as the scares, if it falls down slightly near the end, with plot points introduced that are never fully explained. But these are minor gripes in a genuinely creepy and wonderfully tense story.
A smart and expertly crafted horror, Wan shows a fantastic eye for and grasp for the genre with The Conjuring. For fans of horror, or just those looking for a good scare, this is the movie for you. Highly recommended!
In 1971, the Perron family, made up of Roger (Ron Livingston), Carolyn (Lili Taylor), and their five daughters, find themselves beset by mysterious forces after moving into a dilapidated farm house. When the events begin to escalate and start hurting the family, the Warrens are called in to help. Arriving at the farm, the pair discover something far more dangerous than previously thought.
The Conjuring is the type of horror movie we haven't seen in a long time, comparable to The Exorcist or the original The Amityville Horror (which was also based on a case the Warren's investigated, and gets a reference here), and echos the cinematic style of the era it is set. Masterfully shot by cinematographer John R. Leonetti (a frequent collaborator with Wan), the film takes its time building the tension and atmosphere, letting us get to know both families, making us care about them all that more. The performances are somberly delivered, not even threatening to go over the top when presented with the films more out there elements. Wilson and Farmiga have a great chemistry together, perfectly selling the Warrens as a loving couple, adding some emotional meat to proceedings.
The shocks come slow and steady for much of the first and second act, each scare building from the last, until you can just imagine Wan said "alright, now to really mess with them", and turns everything up to 11 for an insane third act. It's all about the practical effects here, with very little in the way of CGI, which makes the film all that more effective. Wan never falls back on a cheap scare, every jump and chill crafted with great care to ensure the proper reaction from the audience. The story is as well crafted as the scares, if it falls down slightly near the end, with plot points introduced that are never fully explained. But these are minor gripes in a genuinely creepy and wonderfully tense story.
A smart and expertly crafted horror, Wan shows a fantastic eye for and grasp for the genre with The Conjuring. For fans of horror, or just those looking for a good scare, this is the movie for you. Highly recommended!
