James Wan’s The Conjuring (2013) is a modern horror classic that revived interest in supernatural storytelling through its chilling atmosphere, grounded characters, and based-on-a-true-story approach. The film is the first installment in what became The Conjuring Universe, now one of the most successful horror franchises in cinema history.
Detailed Summary
Opening: Annabelle and the Warrens
The film opens with a creepy prologue involving a haunted doll named Annabelle, which introduces us to Ed and Lorraine Warren, a real-life married couple known for their work as paranormal investigators. This sequence sets the tone for the rest of the movie, implying that their world is filled with dark forces and terrifying entities. The Warrens are not just storytellers—they’re active, hands-on ghost hunters with deep religious convictions and a cautious, methodical approach.
The Perron Family Moves In
The main story begins when Roger and Carolyn Perron move into an old farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, with their five daughters. Almost immediately, strange things begin to happen: clocks stop at exactly 3:07 AM, doors slam shut on their own, and the family dog refuses to enter the house—and is later found dead.
These early hauntings escalate gradually but relentlessly, building tension in classic haunted house fashion.
Things Escalate: Possession and Physical Threats
The manifestations become increasingly violent. Carolyn begins to experience bruises and sleepwalking, and one of the daughters is attacked by an unseen force. After a terrifying game of “Hide and Clap” leads Carolyn into a secret basement, she becomes the focus of the malevolent entity.
Desperate, the Perrons contact Ed and Lorraine Warren, who agree to investigate. The Warrens quickly identify a demonic presence tied to the house and its dark history.
The Backstory of the House
Through research and Lorraine’s clairvoyant abilities, the Warrens discover that the house once belonged to Bathsheba Sherman, a witch who sacrificed her child to the devil and cursed anyone who would take her land. Bathsheba hanged herself on the property in 1863 at exactly 3:07 AM—explaining the time-related disturbances.
Other tragedies followed over the decades: suicides, drownings, and mysterious deaths of children. The house is essentially a beacon for evil, with Bathsheba’s spirit still lingering, possessing mothers and forcing them to kill their children.
The Exorcism: Final Showdown with Evil
As Carolyn becomes fully possessed, she attempts to kill her two youngest daughters. The Warrens rush back, with Ed performing an emergency exorcism—despite not being officially authorized by the Church. The scene is brutal and emotionally intense, with Carolyn tied to a chair and violently convulsing. Lorraine reaches her emotionally, reminding her of a memory with her daughter, which gives Carolyn the strength to resist the demon.
In a climactic moment of spiritual confrontation, Ed successfully completes the exorcism. Bathsheba’s spirit is expelled, and Carolyn is saved. The haunting ends.
Movie Ending
After the exorcism, Carolyn reunites with her family, emotionally and physically drained but alive and free of Bathsheba’s control. The Warrens return home, placing a music box from the Perron house in their artifact room—a collection of haunted items kept under lock and key. Ed mentions they’ve received another case to investigate in Long Island—an obvious nod to the infamous Amityville haunting, which is covered in The Conjuring 2.
The music box from the Perron house is left on a shelf. As the camera lingers on it, the lid opens by itself. The screen cuts to black just as the music stops.
It’s a deeply unsettling ending that implies evil may never be fully contained—it only waits.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Conjuring does not have a post-credits scene. However, the closing credits include real photographs of the actual Perron family and the Warrens, grounding the film in its “based on a true story” roots and giving a final eerie touch.
Type of Movie
The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film with elements of possession, ghost haunting, and exorcism. It is part of the broader Conjuring Universe and stands as one of the best examples of modern gothic horror.
Cast
- Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
- Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
- Lili Taylor as Carolyn Perron
- Ron Livingston as Roger Perron
- Joey King as Christine Perron
- Mackenzie Foy, Shanley Caswell, Kyla Deaver, and Hayley McFarland as the Perron daughters
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Joseph Bishara, who also played the demon (Bathsheba) in the film. His music is dissonant, eerie, and filled with sudden bursts of noise to enhance the scares. The score avoids traditional melodies in favor of unsettling sounds, making it an integral part of the horror.
Filming Locations
The Conjuring was filmed primarily in North Carolina, using locations such as EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington and various rural properties for the farmhouse scenes. Though set in Rhode Island, the rural North Carolina setting provided the isolated, timeless feel necessary for the story.
The real Perron house is in Harrisville, Rhode Island, and remains a source of interest (and controversy) for ghost hunters.
Awards and Nominations
Though not a major awards contender, The Conjuring received several horror and genre nominations, including:
- Empire Awards – Best Horror
- Fangoria Chainsaw Awards – Best Wide-Release Film (won)
- Saturn Awards – Nominated for Best Horror Film, Best Director, and Best Actress (Farmiga)
It was widely praised for elevating the haunted house subgenre.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- James Wan insisted on practical effects and minimal CGI to keep the film grounded and realistic.
- The cast and crew reported strange occurrences during filming, including unexplained noises and dogs refusing to enter certain sets.
- Vera Farmiga found claw marks on her laptop after reading the script at home.
- The real Lorraine Warren was a consultant on the film and approved the casting of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.
- Lili Taylor performed many of her own stunts during the exorcism scene.
Inspirations and References
- The movie is based on true events investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren in the early 1970s.
- It draws directly from the Perron family’s experiences, documented by daughter Andrea Perron in her book series House of Darkness House of Light.
- Influences also include classic horror films like The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror, both of which share thematic similarities.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no alternate endings have been released, several deleted scenes include additional family bonding moments and extended investigations by the Warrens. These were removed to maintain pacing and focus on the horror.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While not adapted from a single book, the film’s events are closely related to Andrea Perron’s books, which provide a more detailed and dramatic account of the Perrons’ experiences. The film condenses and simplifies many of the hauntings for narrative clarity and builds a more direct conflict around Bathsheba.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The “Hide and Clap” game that leads Carolyn into the basement.
- Bathsheba appearing on top of the wardrobe in the daughters’ bedroom.
- The exorcism scene in the basement with Carolyn levitating.
- Lorraine falling through the floor into a room filled with hanging bodies.
Iconic Quotes
- Lorraine Warren: “The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges on which one we elect to follow.”
- Carolyn Perron: “It’s not the house that’s haunted. It’s your mother.”
- Ed Warren: “There’s something horrible happening in that house.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Annabelle doll became the focus of her own spin-off movie. Her brief role here was a setup for the larger universe.
- The music box appears again in The Conjuring 2, symbolizing the connection between cases.
- The real Ed and Lorraine Warren’s photo is subtly included among newspaper clippings.
- The 3:07 AM motif mirrors “witching hour” folklore.
Trivia
- The film is rated R by the MPAA despite having no gore, nudity, or profanity—just sheer scare factor.
- It grossed over $319 million worldwide on a $20 million budget.
- The real Perron family visited the set—and claimed they experienced paranormal activity there too.
- James Wan created the story as a “spiritual prequel” to Insidious in tone, though the films aren’t connected.
Why Watch?
Watch The Conjuring if you love old-school haunted house horror, intelligent supernatural storytelling, and films that don’t rely on cheap thrills. It balances deeply emotional character moments with bone-chilling tension, and it helped reshape modern horror into something that’s both artistic and terrifying.
Director’s Other Movies
- Insidious (2010)
- Saw (2004)
- Death Sentence (2007)
- Aquaman (2018)
- Furious 7 (2015)
- Malignant (2021)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Conjuring (2016)
- Insidious (2010)
- The Babadook (2014)
- Sinister (2012)
- Hereditary (2018)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
- The Others (2001)
