On September 5, the last movie of the “Conjuring” series was released: “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” It follows Ed and Loraine Warren, the iconic paranormal investigators and demonologists investigating and helping the Smurl family who claim they are being tormented by a demon. This series has been based on the real couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren who investigated cases such as the Amityville horror, the Annabelle doll and now their last and maybe most terrifying case- The Smurl Haunting.

The movie played like a typical “Conjuring” movie, full of jump-scares and unnerving visuals of spirits and demons. It was a satisfying end to those who watched all the movies in the “Conjuring” universe. They also include real pictures and sometimes audio from the paranormal cases in the end credits. It is very interesting and sometimes quite disturbing. This movie featured pictures of the Smurl Family and Ed and Lorraine Warren’s daughter, Judy.

Just like Ed and Lorraine Warren, the events of the movie were based on a true story. Along with being in “The Conjuring: Last Rites”, The Smurl Haunting was also made into a book, The Haunted (1988), that was later made into a movie in 1991. The Smurl Haunting was a case of spirits that tormented the Smurl family for years. 

In 1973, Janet and Jack Smurl and their four daughters moved to a home on Chase street in West Pitton, Pennsylvania. They soon began experiencing strange and unexplainable phenomenons. It was reported that tools went missing and reappeared, kitchen appliances caught on fire with no explanation, and horrendous smells and shadows manifested in the house. As disturbing as these typical ghost activities were, it only got worse. One of their daughters was reportedly pushed down a flight of stairs, their dog was thrown against the wall, and Janet was picked up by a ghost and thrown in the air. Both Janet and Jack Smurl reported being molested by the spirits.

In January of 1986, the Smurl family called Ed and Lorraine Warren for help. After some investigating the Warrens claimed a powerful and intelligent demon was tormenting them. A Catholic priest performed three unsuccessful exorcisms. To that, Janet claimed the demons left the home when the exorcisms were performed and even followed the family sometimes. The Warrens and Catholic church were the primary supporters and believers of the Smurl family.

Although they had some support, there were also a lot of Smurl doubters. Paul Kurtz, philosophy professor, claimed that the Warrens had “no credentials.” He believed that the Smurls were imagining the haunting. He even offered the Smurl’s psychiatric help, but they refused. 

Near the end of 1986, the Smurls claimed that their prayers and the prayers of the church had made everything back to normal. Except a year later, Janet Smurl stated that some supernatural phenomena occurred but it wasn’t anything they hadn’t dealt with before.

The Smurl haunting was a complex and long-lasting haunting that affected many people. Whether you believe it or not, it was quite disturbing.

The Conjuring: Last Rites” is a great kick off to the Halloween season.