Horror is a subjective genre. Fans themselves can’t even agree on what constitutes good horror. Some require nothing less than existential dread, while others opt for a light sprinkling of spectral dust.

But, no matter how you define it, people love to be entertained, and the success of The Conjuring Universe is diabolical proof.

Our first introduction to the series was in 2013 with The Conjuring, featuring the ever-loving husband-and-wife investigative team of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

The film hailed the paranormal power couple as brave demon hunters, and audiences cheered as the righteous Warrens vanquished the vile witch Bathsheba, saving the Perron family from a desolate fate.

However, truth is always stranger than fiction, and our rose-tinted glasses were smudged when it was revealed that real-life Ed Warren wasn’t as virtuous as suggested on the big screen.

Allegations of questionable behaviour with an underage girl, and an affair that lasted decades tarnished the couple’s biblical reputation. Lorraine Warren even negotiated the accusations into her contract, insisting any portrayal of marital strife in the movie was forbidden. 

Additionally, the Warrens were accused of fraud and manipulation, with critics claiming the couple preyed on vulnerable people for their own monetary gain. Their involvement in cases like the Amityville Haunting and Arne Johnson (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It), called the Warrens integrity into question.

But regardless of where you sit with your personal opinions of the real-world Warrens, it’s impossible to deny the impact their cinematic counterparts have had.

Following the success of The Conjuring, Annabelle was released into cinemas just a year later, trailed closely by The Conjuring 2. Since then, a further six films have been unleashed, including The Nun, which is possibly one of the scariest characters in horror with the worst movie. 

The Conjuring Universe has brought in over $2 billion, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise to date. The latest addition, The Conjuring: Last Rites, has just set a franchise opening weekend record with a pull of $187 million. Not too shabby for a ninth film.

Fans are making it clear: this is a formula that works, and we’re happy to spend our money on it. The Conjuring Universe is proof that you don’t need deep and meaningful to be successful. This is popcorn horror and meant for our entertainment, and, at the end of the day, we could all use a break from reality.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is now playing in cinemas across New Zealand. Check it out and support horror on the big screen!

The rest of the series can be found on NEON or Prime, except for The Nun 2, which is currently streaming on NetflixNZ. Weird, I know.

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