The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Review – Horror Film Of The Summer

After starring in two solo The Conjuring films, the Warrens are back in a third installment and with a case that is different from the previous ones they’ve handled. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It combines aspects of the real-life case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson — who was the first to claim demonic possession in a murder trial — with the supernatural horror that the Warrens are familiar with. Directed by Michael Chaves (The Curse of La Llorona), from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is the standout horror film of the summer. Anchored by the strength of the Warrens, the film is engrossing, with physical and psychological horror elements permeating the story to great effect.  

In 1981, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are in the midst of the exorcism of David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard), an eight-year-old boy who had just moved into a new home with his family. It’s not going very well and, desperate to end David’s suffering, Arne Johnson (Ruairi O’Connor), the boyfriend of David’s sister Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook), asks the demon possessing David to take him instead. After killing his landlord Bruno Sauls (Ronnie Gene Blevins), Arne is arrested and claims he was possessed during the murder, which saw him stabbing Bruno (whose real name was changed for the film) 22 times. Ed and Lorraine return to the case, with their investigation leading them down some dark roads and, between Ed’s heart problems and Lorraine’s growing spiritual connection to the case, they quickly discover that things aren’t what they seem and that Arne’s situation goes beyond demon possession. 

The Conjuring universe has grown since the 2013 film that first introduced Ed and Lorraine Warren to audiences. And while the other films in the series aren’t bad, the return of the Warrens as the central characters was greatly needed. Not only does their presence reinvigorate the universe, but it’s a reminder that the couple is the grounding point for the entire franchise. Their loving relationship and loyalty to one another has been the driving force that allows the horror films to push boundaries, going beyond superficial scares by connecting the Warrens’ psychological, emotional arcs to the overarching plots. The Devil Made Me Do It does this tremendously well, elevating a story of demonic possession and curses to resonate emotionally with the Warrens, their history, and the deep love they have for each other.

They each bring something unique to the table and, in between looking out for one another, they support and amplify the others’ gifts and expertise. The strength of their relationships is on display throughout the film as the story pivots, heightening the tension by bringing the danger to the Warrens’ doorstep in an attempt to pit them against each other. Going this route is effective as it deepens their relationship and raises the emotional stakes of the story. Of course, their relationship wouldn’t be so effective without the portrayals of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who are exceptional in their roles, conveying fear and the unease they have with the case, frustrations with health issues, and balancing their feelings surrounding the intense investigation with moments of deep sentimentality. 

Weaving the overarching plot with the Warrens’ relationship elevates the horror-thriller aspects of the film as well. To that end, Chaves does a magnificent job implementing jump scares and other horrific elements that are made all the more terrifying with intense close-ups and disturbing, yet exhilarating illusions. Along with the contrasting use of light and shadow, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is exactly what audiences look for in a horror film, embracing the scares without foregoing on the storyline or character development. The sequel could have easily fallen into the trap of being a dull, stagnant courtroom drama, but the filmsteers clear of such entrapments to focus on the supernatural case, benefitting the film’s direction and pacing. Chaves, who takes over from The Conjuring and its sequel director James Wan, and Johnson-McGoldrick weave together a narrative with plenty of twists, terror, and devastating psychological elements that work on nearly every level.   

The Warrens’ cases have been greatly embellished and the same is the case in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Certain facts make it into the film, with the details of the trial sidestepped to focus on the curse instead. While that largely works in the film’s favor, the primary downside is that the occultist (Eugenie Bondurant) is stereotypically  portrayed as evil. It’s a one-dimensional framing that doesn’t get any further exploration, somewhat to the detriment of the case itself, and it makes for a somewhat less compelling antagonist. Arne, meanwhile, is treated solely as a victim and his murder of Bruno glossed over to focus on the details of the supernatural case. The film sidesteps contending with the grisly details of the case beyond the demonic possession, for better or worse. 

That aside, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is certainly a strong sequel. Wan did a great job with the first two films and Chaves capitalizes on the already established relationships and world, while also adding his own style and horror angles. This refreshes the franchise while also getting back to the basics by turning its focus back onto the Warrens and their case work in later years. The film is chilling, balancing its actually scary horror with a lot of heart, advancing the Warrens’ story and providing audiences with a change of pace from their usual cases. 

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It will release in theaters and on HBO Max on June 4, 2021. The film is 112 minutes long and is rated R for terror, violence and some disturbing images.

About The Author

Mae Abdulbaki
(1107 Articles Published)

Mae Abdulbaki is a movie reviews editor with Screen Rant. She previously wrote about a variety of movies and TV shows for Inverse, CinemaBlend, Pajiba, and The Young Folks, where she wrote reviews, features, news pieces. Her other work can be found at The Mary Sue, Film School Rejects, UPROXX, Heroic Hollywood, Looper, The List, and Bam Smack Pow, among others. Mae has also appeared on television segments, podcasts, and panels to discuss all things entertainment.

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