REVIEW: 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' Doesn't Quite Cut It

Though enjoyable and engaging, the latest film in the horror franchise ends up being drawn back by its majorly formulaic elements.

Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It sees the paranormal investigators unintentionally unleash a potent curse on themselves after an exorcism leads to the transference of a malevolent entity from a child to an adult.

Just when Ed and Lorraine think the case is over, a series of events finds the young man possessed involved in a murder. To prove his innocence and the existence of the supernatural, the couple must race against time to unravel what may be the greatest mystery in their unique career.

No one can deny that the trailer was well-packaged, teasing something unique for the viewer. The film's opening sequence grabbed my attention but sadly, for the better part of the first and second acts, the intrigue and suspense were hardly maintained.

A scene from THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT

Lead stars Wilson and Farmiga give impressive performances; special praise to Farmiga whose touching portrayal makes her the standout in the film.

The main issue with The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is that it repeats some of the predictable elements that are present in so-called horror films being released today. 

The hair-raising chills, seemingly insurmountable odds, and nail-biting suspense from the earlier films are missing here. The movie takes too long to get to the climax, leading to uneven pacing and a seemingly overlong exposition.

Other things that make the movie less of what it ought to include the scene transition, editing (not at all times though), and uninteresting dialogue.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Lorraine and Ed Warren

The special effects are top-notch but to be honest, it's not like we haven't seen something more visually arresting before. The climax itself is underwhelming and when the villain is finally unveiled, the moment couldn't have been more 'meh-ish'.

This is not to say the film isn't good. As a matter of fact, movie fans will find it quite enjoyable when viewing it as a standalone film. But for those of us who have been following the metaphysical stories of Ed and Lorraine, this latest part doesn't quite cut it.

Conclusively, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It lacks the originality and uniqueness of its predecessors, making it the least of the three films. But I would still recommend it to those who love a good mystery thriller.

Rating: 6/10.