Plot: What’s it about?
I’m not easily frightened. I wish I was, but maybe it’s the thousands of movies that I’ve sat through over the years that have desensitized me. Or maybe I’m just not easily scared? I will say that Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is one movie that will make me have trouble sleeping at night. I guess it’s more the psychological terror that gets me as opposed to things that go bump in the night (or in this case, a haunted house/exorcism). I’m also way too logical to really believe in ghosts and the like. I watch these shows like Ghost Hunters and just sit there laughing. A team of wannabe filmmakers stumble around a house with a video camera and then look around every time they hear a sound. Give me a break. I mention all of this as I don’t really believe in demonic possession or anything that’s supernatural at all. It defies logic and if anything, I embody logic.
Having said all of that, as I write this there are nearly 10 movies in The Conjuring universe and, yes, this one started it all. While it’s possible to watch them in chronological order, it’s probably best to watch them in release order as some of the other movies (regardless of their chrnological order) do tend to have spoilers for other films and so forth. For reference, here’s where we stand (again, as of this writing).
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Nun (2018)
- The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
- The Nun 2 (2023)
Meet the Perrons, a nice family of seven with five daughters, a doting wife (Lili Taylor) and a hard-working husband (Ron Livingston) that have just moved into a new house. It’s 1971 and the Rhode Island estate that they’ve purchased seems to be the house of their dreams. That is until they start hearing noises in the middle of the night. The house is perpetually cold and all of the clocks stop at 3:07 a.m. Other than that, everything’s great! Carolyn (Taylor) decides to seek out some help for their troubles and finds husband and wife team Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Faminga) Warren. Ed and Lorraine specialize in things like this, though they’re not officially “exorcists” as far as the Catholic church is concerned. However they’re nice folks and they decide to investigate only to find out that there is indeed something amiss. A demon has attached itself to the family and it’s not exactly easy to get rid of it. The Perron’s can’t run or hide, but must rely on the power of Christ to save them and their house. Will it work?
Movies like this are hit and miss and if in the wrong hands, I can see this being a total disaster. Thankfully James Wan (Saw, Insidious) is the man with the plan and he’s brought a sense of authenticity with him to the film. Not only does the movie look like it was shot about 40 years ago, the performances are convincing as well. As I mentioned at the forefront of this review, I really don’t believe in things like this, but while watching the movie with my wife – her hand never left mine and tightened at just the right times. Seeing the emotional toll it took on her made me realize and appreciate how scary this movie could be if you’re willing to resign yourself over to the film. I, obviously, wasn’t. One thing I did appreciate was that the movie seemed to avoid any of the obvious pratfalls that so dominate movies like this. Minimal violence and language – just the supernatural at its best trying to scare the hell out of you. And it just might if you let it.
Video: How’s it look?
Any film about a haunted house and/or the supernatural will most likely be, I’m assuming, very dark in both tone and nature. Sure enough, The Conjuring comes to 4K with a 2.39:1 HEVC transfer that’s as dark as they come. Though the movie is placed in the early 70’s, it’s those scenes at night that really leave their mark on you (sometimes literally). Black levels and shadows in the movie are of the utmost importance, contrast is well-balanced and I found no evidence of macro-blocking or movement in the darks. The outdoor scenes are rich and saturated in some earthy tones, we even see some things that I’d forgot existed – like tape recorders. Detail is outstanding as well with Patrick Wilson’s sideburns and Ron Livingston’s five o’clock shadow being very noticeable. A great effort and a notch above it’s Blu-ray counterpart.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Ok, either these newer films are really using new and inventive techniques to use the LFE or my sub woofer is blown. Having watched countless films from my setup I’d remarked that “I’d never heard sounds like this come out of my sub…” well this marks the second movie that has put it through the motions and I do have to say, with great effect. Vocals are crisp and clean and I’d forgotten what Lili Taylor’s voice had sounded like with her Minnesota accent and all. There are a few scenes that have a supernatural “whisper” to them and it only adds to the tension. Surrounds are used with great effect as well (this is a haunted house movie, after all). This Dolby Atmos mix is nothing short of perfection.
Supplements: What are the extras?
It’s been just a shade over a decade since this film was first released on Blu-ray and with this new 4K version we actually get a couple of new supplements. Those, in addition to what was already there, make for a nice package of extras.
- Scariest of Them All – The first of the duo of new supplements finds the cast and creators of The Conjuring take a look back at some of the greatest scares of the series, uncovering what made these films so iconic.
- Reflections on The Conjuring – The second new supplement takes us back to look at more than a decade after the release of the original film, the cast and crew reflect on their experiences creating one of the most legendary horror series in history.
- A Life in Demonology – In addition to the various items that the Warrens collected over the years, we also get some recordings from the late Ed Warren and others as we get a brief overview on what they did, their impact and long-lasting involvement in their careers of choice. Director James Wan offers a bit of insight and his .02 as well.
- The Conjuring: Face-to-Face with Terror – We get an interview with the real-life Perron’s as the daughters recount the tale of their experience with the supernatural and working with the Warrens.
- Scaring the ‘@$*%’ Out of You – Essentially this is how Wan got involved with the project (he was at the top of a very short list), his influence of the style and tone of the film as well as the overall inspiration for the film.
The Bottom Line
To the filmmakers’ credit, they have made The Conjuring (and all of its sequels and spin-offs) work. Kudos to them for that. These films are entertaining and this “O.G.” is probably the most. highly regarded of them all. And with good reason. We get upgraded video and audio as well as some new supplements thrown into the mix. What’s not to love?
