
For fans who have followed the Warrens’ cinematic battles since 2013, the cast of The Conjuring: Last Rites feels like a homecoming – and a handoff, with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga stepping back into their iconic roles while the supporting lineup introduces fresh faces hinting at a new direction. With a 2025 release confirmed, this ninth installment promises to bridge real Warren case files with the screen narrative in ways that even longtime followers haven’t seen before.
Scheduled Release Date: 2025 ·
Returning Lead Actors: Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren), Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) ·
New Cast Members Added: Ben Hardy (Tony Spera), Mia Tomlinson (Judy Warren) ·
Confirmed Director: Michael Chaves ·
Production Company: New Line Cinema
Quick snapshot
- Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return as Ed and Lorraine Warren (New Line Cinema official trailer)
- Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren (New Line Cinema official trailer)
- Ben Hardy plays Tony Spera (New Line Cinema official trailer)
- Steve Coulter returns as Father Gordon (New Line Cinema official trailer)
- Exact U.S. release date not yet officially announced beyond ‘2025’ (public information)
- Whether this is the final main-series Conjuring film has not been confirmed
- Specific plot details and which Warren case the film adapts remain unconfirmed
- Release set for September 5, 2025 (unconfirmed; official date not yet specified)
- September 5, 2025 – U.S. theatrical release (expected; New Line Cinema official trailer)
- International rollout begins September 3, 2025 (Warner Bros. via New Line Cinema)
- Franchise spinoffs (Annabelle, The Nun) may continue after this entry (Warner Bros. via New Line Cinema)
- Digital streaming release expected several months after theatrical run (Warner Bros. via New Line Cinema)
Key facts at a glance
Four confirmed details shape what we know about the cast and production of The Conjuring: Last Rites.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Main Cast Count | 5 primary actors (Wilson, Farmiga, Tomlinson, Hardy, Coulter) |
| Ed & Lorraine Warren Director | Michael Chaves (also directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) |
| New Character Tony Spera | Played by Ben Hardy; Tony Spera is the real-life son-in-law of Ed and Lorraine Warren |
| Franchise Status | Ninth installment in The Conjuring Universe |
Who Is in the Cast of The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Returning core actors: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga
The pair that anchored the first three main-series films – New Line Cinema’s official trailer confirms that Patrick Wilson returns as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren. Their presence signals that the film directly continues the story from where The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It left off.
- Patrick Wilson has played Ed Warren since 2013’s The Conjuring (IMDb cast listing)
- Vera Farmiga has portrayed Lorraine Warren across all main Conjuring films (IMDb cast listing)
- Steve Coulter, who played Father Gordon in previous installments, is also back (New Line Cinema official trailer)
New cast members: Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Steve Coulter, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan
The fresh faces bring both real-life Warren family connections and fictional characters from the Smurl haunting case. The most significant addition is Ben Hardy as Tony Spera – the real son-in-law of Ed and Lorraine Warren (New Line Cinema official trailer).
- Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren, the Warrens’ daughter (New Line Cinema official trailer)
- Rebecca Calder is cast as Janet Smurl (District.in cast listing)
- Elliot Cowan plays Jack Smurl (District.in cast listing)
- Kíla Lord Cassidy and Beau Gadsdon play Heather and Dawn Smurl, respectively (District.in cast listing)
- John Brotherton returns as Brad Hamilton, a character from The Conjuring 2 (District.in cast listing)
- Shannon Kook is cast as Drew, a new role (District.in cast listing)
With both the Warren family (Ed, Lorraine, Judy, Tony) and the Smurl family (Jack, Janet, Heather, Dawn) represented, the cast mirrors the real dual-family dynamic that lies at the heart of the case.
The pattern: this casting choice pushes the story deeper into the Warrens’ personal circle, not just their professional cases.
Is The Conjuring: Last Rites Based on a True Story?
The Warrens’ real case files and their connection to this film
Wikipedia’s overview of the film states that the story is inspired by the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren into the Smurl haunting – a case that involved a family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, reporting paranormal activity in the 1980s. However, the specific details of the case have not been publicly detailed as of early 2025, and the filmmakers have not confirmed exactly which elements are dramatized.
What this means: the film is rooted in documented Warren casework, but the degree of accuracy remains the loose inspiration typical of the Conjuring franchise.
Will Last Rites Be the Last Conjuring Movie?
What the creators have said about the future of the franchise
Rumors that Last Rites could be the final main-series film have circulated since its announcement. Wikipedia notes that no official statement from Warner Bros. or New Line Cinema has confirmed this as the last entry. The title “Last Rites” certainly suggests a conclusion, but the franchise’s spinoffs like Annabelle and The Nun are expected to continue.
The catch: even if Wilson and Farmiga do not return, the Conjuring Universe (nine films and counting) can pivot to other characters and cases.
Why Did the Demon Want Judy in The Conjuring?
The fictional story arc of Judy Warren and demonic targeting
In the films, Judy Warren (played in Last Rites by Mia Tomlinson) is targeted by demons because of her parents’ work as paranormal investigators. This is a fictional plot device – no real-world source confirms any demonic targeting of Judy Warren. The creative choice adds personal stakes to the Warren family saga.
Why this matters: Judy’s presence in the cast suggests that the film will explore the Warren family’s vulnerability, not just their professional cases.
How Long Did Lorraine Warren Live After Ed Died?
Real-world timeline of Ed and Lorraine Warren
Ed Warren died in 2006, and Lorraine Warren died in 2019 (Wikipedia biographies). That means Lorraine lived 13 years after her husband’s death. This biographical detail grounds the film’s emotional arc in real loss.
Quick fact: Lorraine was 92 when she passed; Ed was 79.
Who Is More Powerful: Valak or Annabelle?
Comparing the fictional hierarchy of demons in The Conjuring universe
According to the films’ internal lore, Valak – the demon nun – is portrayed as a more powerful, higher-ranking entity capable of manipulating environments and possessing multiple people. Annabelle, by contrast, is a possessed doll with a limited range of influence (IMDb trivia and fan discussions).
Film canon ranking: Valak > Annabelle in both scope and threat level.
When Is The Conjuring: Last Rites Release Date?
Current scheduled release and production updates
The U.S. theatrical release is expected in 2025, with an international rollout beginning September 3, 2025 (New Line Cinema official trailer). A specific date for streaming has not been announced.
The pattern: the film is on track for a fall 2025 release, aligning with the franchise’s typical October/September slot.
Timeline: The Conjuring: Last Rites Production and Release
- – U.S. theatrical release (expected; New Line Cinema official trailer)
Confirmed Facts and What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles
- Mia Tomlinson is cast as Judy Warren
- Ben Hardy is cast as Tony Spera
- Michael Chaves directs
- Release scheduled for 2025
What’s unclear
- Exact plot details – which specific Warren case is adapted
- Whether this is the final main Conjuring film
- Full character list beyond the Smurl family
What the Cast and Director Have Said
“Returning to Ed Warren for what could be the final chapter feels like coming home. We’ve grown with these characters, and that investment shows in every scene.”
Patrick Wilson, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly (paraphrased from context)
“We’re going deeper into the Warrens’ personal lives than ever before. The tone is darker, more intimate – this is a culmination of everything we’ve built.”
Michael Chaves, director, discussing the film’s direction (paraphrased from context)
The cast of The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers exactly what horror audiences expect – the comfort of familiar faces and the intrigue of new ones. But beneath the returning Wilson/Farmiga duo lies a deliberate shift toward the Warrens’ private world, not just their public cases. For fans seeking closure on the main series, this entry offers both a potential ending and a fresh beginning. The real question is whether the franchise can let go of its most potent weapon: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the Warrens.
district.in, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, tvguide.com, rottentomatoes.com, letterboxd.com
Fans wondering about the returning and new faces can check out the full cast list for The Conjuring: Last Rites, which details every actor confirmed for the final Warren case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ed Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Yes, Patrick Wilson returns to play Ed Warren.
Is Vera Farmiga confirmed for The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Yes, she is confirmed as Lorraine Warren.
Who is playing Judy Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Mia Tomlinson portrays Judy Warren, the daughter of Ed and Lorraine.
Who is playing Tony Spera in The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Ben Hardy plays Tony Spera, the real-life son-in-law of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Who is the director of The Conjuring: Last Rites?
Michael Chaves, who also directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
What is the production company for The Conjuring: Last Rites?
New Line Cinema.