The Conjuring Horror Project

The Conjuring

The Conjuring is a 2013 US horror/supernatural film directed by James Wan, who directed the first Saw film, written/produced the 6 Saw sequels and has also, directed both Insidious film which both Insidious and The Conjuring star Patrick Wilson. This film is based on one of the cases dealt with by the real Ed and Lorraine Warren who also went on to investigate the Amityville Horror case in Long Island in 1977.

Synopsis

Set in 1971, the Perron family move into an old farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. After the 5 daughters start playing a game called ‘Hide and Clap’ which leads to one of the girls find the entrance to the cellar that has been boarded up to which the father, Roger investigates and finds it is perfectly safe. Up until this point, the family seem to be settling well although strange occurrences have started to happen such as one of the younger daughters feeling a pulling sensation at her feet and the dog continuously barking outside. After several days of paranormal experiences, the family start to feel nervous about the house after the mother, Carolyn finding bruises, the dog dying, the clocks stopping at 3.07am and various noises from around the house. An attack on Andrea by a spirit on top of a wardrobe results in Carolyn seeking help from paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren who need more proof to perform an exorcism. When the investigators research the property, they come across that a witch, Barsheba sacrificed her children to devil and cursed the land in 1863 to which many murders have been committed on the land. The daughters are attacked later on that night by the spirit of the witch and the Perron family decide to move to a hotel while the house is exorcized. While the Warren’s are at the house, their own daughter is attacked by the same spirit although is saved in time by Ed. Carolyn who takes 2 of the daughters back to the house becomes possessed and tries to kill her children but Lorraine manages to distract her while Ed performs the exorcism to save Carolyn and the children.

Character profiles

Lorraine Warren

Lorraine Warren, portrayed by Vera Famiga was a clairvoyant and light trance medium who worked with her husband to hunt the supernatural. She dealt with many cases like this and in the film had a connection with Carolyn as they both were mothers and listened to Carolyn recite her happiest memory of her family. She is the mother Judy and was often worried about her when the couple wasn't at home. In the lake seen, she sees her daughter in the lakes reflection and sees it as a bad omen.

Ed Warren

Ed Warren, portrayed by Patrick Wilson was a demonologist, lecturer and author who worked with his wife, Lorraine. When he is about to perform the exorcism, he says how he has never done it before as it usually is performed by a Priest and is approved by the Catholic Church. He was also the father to Judy and often instructs her not to go into the sealed of backroom that contains all the possessed objects that they have dealt with.

Carolyn Perron

Carolyn Perron was the wife of Roger Perron and mother to 5 daughters; Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy and April. She starts to see strange occurrences when the clocks stop and the photo frames on the stairs fall as well as finding bruises over her body to which she believes is iron deficiency. She continues to hear banging and clapping throughout the house even when her children are asleep. As the Warrens are performing the exorcism, Carolyn becomes possessed by Barsheba and tries to kill 2 of her daughters but along with her husband, the Warrens manage to strap her to chair with a sheet over her head. As Ed starts the exorcism, Carolyn’s face begins to disfigure and she vomits blood until he condemns the spirit back to hell and Carolyn starts to recover.

Setting

The film is set in 1971 in Harrisville, Rhode Island in the US.

Locations

For the film, most of the shots were taken in and around Wilmington, North Carolina and the EUE/Screen Gems Studios. Some of the campus shots in the Warren’s lecture scenes are took from the University of North Carolina Wilmington during spring break.