Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.
There are some top-notch creepy moments and the picture is crafted with real care but the denouement is underwhelming and my palms never really sweated.
Wan's shocks are predictable but – yikes! – are they scary.
It’s not just the furniture that creaks, but there are still some effective jolts.
It's based on the true stories of husband-and-wife ghostbusters, but in this case the Devil really isn't in the details.
A strong cast and an atmosphere of real dread mean that despite a catalogue of immediately recognisable ghost devices, The Conjuring amounts to more than the sum of its scary parts. If it’s Wan’s farewell to horror — Insidious: Chapter 2 notwithstanding — it’s a darkly powerful final word.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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