The Conjuring
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston
Director: James Wan
Rating: 4/5
If you are a horror film fan then there has not been too much to cheer about in this genre so far in 2013; in fact, it has been a while since we have seen a really great horror film hit the big screen.
At last all of our prayers have been answered as The Conjuring is the horror film event of the year. The movie sees James Wan return to this genre - he has been behind Saw and Insidious most recently - and he has delivered a terrific movie.
Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. "The Conjuring" tells the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Wilson, & Farmiga), world renowned paranormal investigators, who were called to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse.
Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives.
James Wan is such a fantastic horror filmmaker as he doesn’t need special effects of gore to have you jumping out of your seat or send chills down your spine.
The Conjuring is a good old fashioned horror that uses creaking doors, bumps in the night and a provocative score to have you on the edge of your seat.
This really is a chilling film from start to finish, as Wan notches up the tension and the atmosphere frame by frame as he builds to the climax.
Of course, this movie doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is smart and stylish with some excellent central performances.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are wonderful as they depict Ed and Lorraine Warren as two people who are just trying to help others. They are not depicted as ghost hunters or glory seekers, but a husband and wife team that have a gift/ability.
Lili Taylor is also terrific as Carolyn Perron in what turns out, in the end, to be a very physically demanding role for the actress.
It is so refreshing to see a horror movie that doesn’t rely on some ghastly CGI to get to get it’s thrills; too many films of late have had a ‘scary creature‘ element, only for it to look like some toddler with a laptop had created it when the big reveal arrives.
The Conjuring is the stand out horror film of 2013 so far, and it will be the movie that rest will be compared to throughout the second half of this year.
Wan is on top form and it is great to see him back in the genre that seems to bring the very best out of him as a filmmaker.
So if you are looking for a film that is packed with chills, thrills and tension, then look no further than The Conjuring because it really does have it all.
The Conjuring is out now.