THE CONJURING: a movie review by Gordon Stamper, Jr.

Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and Evergreen Media present The Conjuring.   Starring Vera Farminga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, and Ron Livingston.  Directed by James Wan.  Written by Chad & Carey Hayes.  Cinematography by John R. Leonetti.  112 Minutes.  Rated ‘R’ for sequences of disturbing violence and terror.

A litmus test for a horror film is when an audience made up primarily of wise-cracking teenagers has been silenced.  Such was the case with The Conjuring, a suspenseful and stylish horror/thriller and notable entry in the “bad place” genre from an unexpected source:  James Wan, director of Insidious and curator of the Saw series.  Supposedly based on the real-life experiences of demonologist duo Ed and Lorraine Warren, its basis in truth is probably about the same as Fargo’s claim.  Yet that doesn’t diminish the power of this terrifying film. 

We follow the Warrens (Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson) on their early explorations and encounters with the spirit world, while Carolyn and Roger Perron’s (Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston) big, happy family moves into a large country house that seems like an idyllic fit for them.  Strange events start happening in the Perron’s home, from disturbing noises and stopped clocks to mysterious, deep bruises found on Carolyn.  During a long trip away from home by truck driver Ron, the family comes under heavy attack by dark forces, with the mother trapped and pummeled in the basement while her four daughters are terrorized by a physical manifestation of demonic forces.  Carolyn seeks out the Warrens after one of their college lectures, and the spirit world explorers are plunged into a nightmarish combination of haunted house and exorcism territory.

Director James Wan is the chief orchestrator of terror here, with deft rhythm and timing on his false and genuine scares.  As with humor, the element of surprise is important and the film attacks the viewer with enough off-kilter moments to jolt even the most cynical horror film veteran.  And to Wan’s credit, little of the torture porn violence of Saw is used here. John Leonetti’s extended and panning cinematography also keeps the audience guessing where the next apparition will appear.

The acting is also first rate, particularly Farminga and Wilson, who have strong chemistry portraying a married couple, flesh-and-blood humans facing primal evil.  Livingston does a decent job looking helpless and scared, and Taylor plays yet another terrorized victim well, which is why she’s cast so often in those roles.

Some of the writing goes off the rails, particularly when an extended scene in the house’s basement goes on too long and is inconsistent with the general intelligence the Warrens have shown throughout the movie.  Fortunately, the plot gaffes are few and forgiven by the generally solid storytelling and Wan’s build-up of dread.

As I left the screening, an angry and escalating shouting match started between theater patrons, as if the bad place had shifted to our movie theater.  This is not the feel-good movie of the summer, but if you are appreciative of genuinely frightening horror, The Conjuring is required viewing.

My rating:  ***1/2 out of ****.