Directed by Michael Chaves, the film once again sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga step into the shoes of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Inspired by the infamous Smurl haunting of 1986, the story unfolds five years after “The Devil Made Me Do It”. The Warrens are reluctantly drawn out of retirement to help yet another family plagued by sinister forces.

If horror movies have taught audiences anything, it’s that old houses, dolls, and Ouija boards are never to be trusted.

Here, the trouble stems from an antique mirror that finds its way into the Smurl family home, a mirror the Warrens had first encountered more than two decades earlier. Naturally, it carries unfinished business.

One of the biggest strengths of “Last Rites” is how it feels like a return to the franchise’s roots.

After the divisive third film, “The Devil Made Me Do It”, which felt more like a courtroom drama, this instalment once again embraces the formula that fans fell in love with.

That said, there’s a twist. Unlike the first two films, the Smurls themselves aren’t always centre stage.

Instead, much of the story shifts focus onto the Warrens’ daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson), whose role here is both a pleasant surprise and a crucial piece of the film’s climax.

Without giving too much away, Judy seems to have inherited some of her mother’s abilities, and the way this plays out adds a fresh layer to the saga’s closing chapter.

What has always set “The Conjuring” apart from the sea of horror films is not just the scares, but the heart. The bond between Ed and Lorraine gives these movies soul. No matter how dark the demon, their love story has always been the light.

“Last Rites” doesn’t forget this. In fact, it shows not only Ed and Lorraine’s bond, but their devotion as parents. The film opens with a younger, pregnant Lorraine facing the cursed mirror, before Ed rushes to protect her in a tense childbirth scene.

Meanwhile, Judy’s boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy) brings a touch of comic relief and warmth, especially in his interactions with Ed. Their evolving dynamic, from the classic overprotective father routine to eventual acceptance, delivers some of the film’s most wholesome and chuckle-worthy moments.

Now, to the important question: is it scary? While not the most terrifying entry in the series, “Last Rites” certainly has its moments.

Chaves and his team lean into inventive set-pieces, giving fans new spins on familiar tropes. Think: not just one haunted mirror, but a room full of them. Not just something lurking under the bed, but something slipping into the bedsheets before disappearing.

There’s also more blood this time, adding a gorier edge to the “Conjuring” universe.

The film also delivers some striking creature designs, with multiple entities sporting long hair and grotesque grins. And yes, horror fans can rest easy, Annabelle makes a cameo. It wouldn’t be a proper farewell without her.

For all its atmosphere and strong performances, the film’s biggest weakness lies in its climax.

Previous instalments, particularly “The Conjuring 2”, built up to clever revelations – like the iconic moment Lorraine realises that speaking the demon’s name, “Valak”, is the key to banishing it. These puzzle-like storylines gave the stories a satisfying sense of resolution.

Here, however, the final showdown feels oddly flat. The “aha” moment never quite lands, and the manner in which the haunting is resolved may leave audiences confused.

For a franchise known for weaving detective-style logic into its scares, this conclusion feels a little undercooked.

It may not be the franchise’s scariest or smartest outing, but with all the other elements together, “Last Rites” works as a fitting farewell, worth watching.

And for those who haven’t followed every spinoff and side story in the wider Conjuring universe, don’t worry: this film stands well enough on its own.