The Conjuring

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy
Directed by: James Wan
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Thriller
2013

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two paranormal investigators (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) have their hands full when a supernatural force terrorizes a family.

Review:

Tim: This film is supposedly based on a true story, taken from the files of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. I don't know how "realistic" this movie is, and I don't really care. James Wan directs an incredible, tense, frightening horror film. I was engaged in the characters and the story, and I was sufficiently freaked out. Horror is a genre that is often maligned, and for mostly good reasons. However, you can be successful in this genre- it's possible to make truly great horror movies, and The Conjuring is an example of such a film.

I loved the approach this film took, trying hard to keep it believable and realistic. We have the Warrens, who investigate supernatural occurrences throughout the New England area. They seem like good people, and the film does a great job of establishing their characters. We learn to care about both Ed and Lorraine, and now we're invested in them. Wan wisely spends a good amount of time on character development. This is such as easy thing to say, but seemingly difficult for horror movie directors. If we don't care about the characters then why would we feel nervous or suspense when they are in danger? It's such a fundamental aspect of storytelling, but very few horror movies take the time to do it. James Wan invests the time (part of why the film is long for a horror flick, at 112 minutes). By establishing the characters first, he makes everything else feel more important.

It also helps that the cast is pretty incredible. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga aren't the most famous actors, but they are really good actors. They have a great deal of talent, and they actually cared. So often in horror movies, the cast looks like they are just going through the motions. That doesn't happen here. Wilson and Farmiga actually exert effort in bringing Ed and Lorraine to life, and I really appreciated that. They have some help in supporting players Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston. Again, they aren't the most famous people, but they have real acting ability. They aren't just victims here- they feel like real people, caught up in something crazy and supernatural. We feel for them, and when they are in danger, we fear for them. It's a pretty simple formula, but really hard to execute. By putting together a good cast and giving them good characters to work with, this film is already ahead of the game.

However, we can't stop there. The point of a horror movie is to frighten us, to creep us out, keep us in suspense. The movie accomplishes that as well. Wan knows horror, and he works the story brilliantly. This isn't a film where everything is kept hidden until the end. The story does build on itself, as the supernatural entity grows in strength and menace. I was in a near constant state of suspense, with the happenings at the family farm, the collection of dangerous supernatural objects at the Warrens' home (not a great idea, but creepy), and everything else going on. There was a lot in this story, and it never really lets up- you know bad things are going to happen, and you just have to sit there and let them happen. This movie doesn't just try to be a horror movie- this is also a pretty incredible thriller. This is a film that puts its story first, and then the scares and the frights work to support the story, not the other way around. This is how you create a great horror movie.

Going into The Conjuring, I did not expect to love this movie. I've seen a lot of horror movies, and I know how difficult they are to pull off. And yet, Wan and the cast work so well together, they elevate this film about the norm of the genre. Great movies aren't just typical Oscar bait- they can come from any genre, at any point. This film is executed brilliantly, and it's not only one of the absolute best horror movies of 2013, it's one of the best films, period.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Insidious, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Cabin in the Woods