When “The Conjuring” was released in 2013, it was well-received by critics and audiences, becoming one of the best-earning horror films of the decade. It was quite an achievement for Malaysian-born director James Wan, who has been called the “King of Modern Horror”.
The frightfest has since been followed by sequels and spin-offs, each one successful in its own right. While Wan remains involved in the franchise, the director’s seat has been passed around.
With the latest installment, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”, the man at the helm is one Michael Chaves. He is no stranger to the Conjuring universe, having directed the “The Curse of La Llorona” in 2019.
“La Llorona” remains the franchise’s worst-reviewed film, having an approval rate of 28% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Given critics’ complaints about his overreliance on jumpscares, one wonders whether Chaves took the feedback to heart with “The Devil Made Me Do It”, which was released on HBO Max in the United States early last month.
FMT reviewed the film in May in anticipation of its theatrical release, but given that cinemas in the country are still closed due to the movement control order, “The Devil Made Me Do It” will instead make its Malaysian premiere through streaming via HBO GO from tomorrow.
Suffice to say, mild spoilers follow.
Set in 1981, the film continues to follow husband-and-wife team Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, as they conduct yet another exorcism.
While it at first appears to be a run-of-the-mill case of demonic possession, it becomes clear there is more at play. Soon, a game of cat-and-mouse begins with the Warrens and a dangerous witch, though it is not always clear who the cat and who the mouse is.
The plot – largely based on the real life case of Arne Johnson, who claimed to be demonically possessed when he committed a crime – sometimes deviates to being something of a murder mystery. And while this may appeal to fans who enjoy a bit of everything with their horror, it does feel like there’s not enough scares in this scary movie.
Sure, it has its moments – from possessed people moving in unnatural ways, to faces emerging from beds – but these instances are few and far between, interlaced with more mundane scenes of character interaction and chatter. The tension fades by the time the next scare comes around.
It certainly does not help that most of the frights are not groundbreaking in any way. Once you have seen one horror movie cliché, you have seen them all.
As the film approaches its climax, it feels like the writing team forgets that the key to a good villain is making sure they have an interesting personality.
Instead, the baddie is haphazardly introduced in the last 30 minutes from out of nowhere. Their motivations are hard to understand, and indeed, they seem to be more of a plot device than a character.
While this might make “The Devil Made Me Do It” sound like a write-off, it does have some redeeming qualities.
For one, Wilson’s and Farmiga’s performances as Ed and Lorraine Warren never fail to disappoint. Their easy onscreen chemistry continues to make their relationship a focal point of the film, although sometimes you feel you’re watching a drama and not a horror flick.
Also commendable is Ruairi O’Connor as Arne Johnson, a young man purportedly cursed with demonic possession. The character is integral to the plot, so it’s important for the audience to like him before he undergoes the traumatic events that require the Warrens’ intervention.
Solid performances and onscreen chemistry aside, this eighth movie in the Conjuring franchise just doesn’t hold a candle to its predecessors, as there simply isn’t enough to sustain the audience’s attention or keep them on the edge of their seats.
Ultimately, for all its scenes of scary possession, “The Devil Made Me Do It” doesn’t possess enough scares.
Stream or download ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ from tomorrow on HBO GO through your devices or via Astro.
Also don’t miss FMT’s interview with lead players Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga tomorrow.