Film review: The Conjuring
By Rebecca McRitchie
Directed by Australian creator of the Saw franchise, James Wan, The Conjuring is an incredibly successful horror movie. Wan modernises what makes classic horror films so effective and constructs a movie brimming with old fashioned scares.
Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Lili Taylor, The Conjuring explores the real experiences carried out by paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, during the 1970s.
Although the Warrens are known primarily for their involvement in The Amityville murders, the movie focuses on the investigation proceeding this case; a family who encounter a dark presence after moving into a secluded farmhouse.
Wan's film combines great acting, a solid narrative storyline and absolutely no mercy is given to audiences in the scare department. Wan uses a well-placed doll, a bloodstained sheet, the suspense of a wind-up toy and the ever scary presence of darkness and that which you can't see to rattle viewers to their core.
As a result, The Conjuring trumps the horror movies released in the past few years and joins the ranks of The Ring and Paranormal Activity. Keep an eye out for homages to the Saw films along with classic horror flicks like The Exorcist and Poltergeist.
Overall, I give The Conjuring a 4 out of 5. If you are looking to be thoroughly scared out of your seat, see The Conjuring. You will not be disappointed. And you will also never play the Hide and Clap game.
The Conjuring will be released in cinemas across Australia on Thursday July 18.
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