Ed and Lorraine Warren are no ordinary married couple; they’re demonologists, paranormal investigators whose jobs are to research and help stop demonic hauntings and possessions. Yet out of all their cases there was one so horrible that they refused to talk about it…until now. This is the story of the Warren’s worst case; a case so frightening, so exciting, so extreme, that it ended up making a pretty effective horror film. This is, The Conjuring.
The Conjuring is a treat for those who miss the more old school horror films from the 60s/70s (in fact I’d say the film feels like a tribute to the likes of The Exorcist). The film moves at a patiently effective pace; using the slow build up to increase its audience’s tension. The Conjuring starts off with nothing extreme (even the initial jump scares are played rather subtlety), enjoying the fear created by the smaller, subtler effects (a mysterious bouncy ball, clocks stopping, a clapping of hands) before moving on to more intense scares. Adding to the fear is the loud, over-dramatic soundtrack which (similar to the 60s/70s scare flicks) can be a bit too over-the-top for its own good, but effective none the less.
The Conjuring uses an interesting combination of style and effect; mixing old school horror style with new art special effects. The unusual mix for new horror films works in The Conjuring’s favor; using the effects to the plots best advantage rather than focus purely on the effects. Adding to this is the film’s intellectual feel. It treats the film events as things that can, and will, happen in real life; pulling little into the “I don’t believe in ghosts so you’ll have to convince me” territory. The very first scene, involving the demonic haunting of a very creepy china doll, is treated right off with a sense of realism. When the Warrens arrive to check out the scene, the apartment owners show no signs of the typical horror clichés such as disbelief or arrogance to listen. In fact the owners appear to have done their homework even before the Warrens arrive; trying to figure out why the doll is acting supernatural and even coming to an incorrect (yet impressive) conclusion that it’s the spirit of a young girl who died there earlier. The Warrens soon correct their inaccurate conclusion, and go on to explain what they need to do to get rid of it. Their discussion goes less like what’d you’d expect from recent horror films and more of what you’d expect from a doctor's appointment (there’s no bull going on, both parties are cooperating to fix the problem).
What’s also great is that they set up both stories of the haunted and the professionals. We start off by seeing the haunted family (a mother, father, and five female children moving into their new “home”) before it all begins; allowing us time to get connected with them while seeing the slow decent into madness and chaos as their house becomes haunted. At the same time the film develops its main duo of demon investigators; showing them teaching at a school, investigating hoaxes, and being with their daughter. What I find truly effective about them is that they are professionals. They know what they’re doing because they’ve done it a hundred times before. Not only are they pros, but they’ve earned respect from others thanks to it. Their students treat them like any other teachers; learning from them and asking question like they would for algebra or chemistry. Both the students and church treat them seriously; showing respect and listening to their cases sincerely. However the most surprising show of respect comes from a police officer. Maybe it’s just me, but when I think of police officers in horror films it normally involves them:
1. Being completely stubborn/ignorant with listening to complains about the supernatural.
2. Refusing to believe anything even when faced with supernatural events until it’s too late.
3. Actually getting in the way of the good guys; thinking they’re the cause of the supernatural events.
As such I found it surprising when the officer (who was still skeptical of the haunting) not only helped out with the case (finding evidence or assisting them with the machinery) but also swiftly ends his skepticism after proof and ends up saving the Warrens multiple times throughout the film.
Both developing stories end up coming together quite effectively as the family has no choice but to ask the Warrens to help. Combining the stories brings both groups (who we’ve grown fond of) together, bonding them together as well. It’s a thrill to watch the Warrens (aided by the family) effectively put the puzzles pieces together as they discover just why the house is haunted. The last third of the film becomes a combination of mystery, horror, and excitement as both families face extreme danger from the demonic events occurring. This of course is all topped off but the reminder at the end that these people are real and that the events are “based on true events”. Now whether or not this is believed is up to the viewer, but this does not change the fact that The Conjuring is a highly effective, intelligent horror film that brings back the good aspects of the old while keeping the good aspects of the new.
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