1. Plot Summary
Set in 1981, the film follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they become embroiled in one of their most controversial cases yet — a legal battle over demonic possession. Horror Movie Talk+3Wikipedia+3theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com+3
It begins with an exorcism on a young boy, David Glatzel, in Brookfield, Connecticut. During the ritual, the demon unexpectedly transfers into Arne Johnson, the boyfriend of David’s sister, Debbie. Wikipedia+2IMDb+2
Arne later commits murder and tries to claim demonic possession as his defense in court — making his case the first in U.S. history where a defendant claims the devil made me do it. Roger Ebert+4Wikipedia+4theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com+4
As they investigate, the Warrens uncover a sinister occultist, a witch’s totem, and a satanic curse that has haunted generations. They must race against time — and prejudices in court — to prove that the supernatural is real, and to save Arne and themselves. IMDb+6Wikipedia+6theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com+6
2. Notable Elements
Opening & Tone Shift
The film opens with a chilling, chaotic exorcism sequence — many critics agree it’s one of the film’s strongest moments. Roger Ebert+2Horror Movie Talk+2 From there, it shifts from haunted-house horror into a hybrid of supernatural thriller and courtroom drama, which is a risk that doesn’t always pay off. Roger Ebert+2Geeks Under Grace+2
Performances & Chemistry
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as Lorraine and Ed Warren. Their enduring chemistry and emotional weight remain among the film’s strongest assets. Rotten Tomatoes+4Medium+4theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com+4
Ruairi O’Connor as Arne provides a tragic, burdened energy. Critics note that while he is sympathetic in much of his ambiguity, his character arc sometimes feels overshadowed by the larger supernatural plot. Roger Ebert+3Horror Movie Talk+3Medium+3
Structure & Pacing
The film juggles multiple modes — exorcism, investigation, flashbacks, courtroom sequences, occult rituals. This broad scope means it sometimes loses the tight tension that earlier Conjuring entries maintained. Roger Ebert+2Geeks Under Grace+2
Certain scenes — especially in the middle — slow down under exposition or shifting narrative threads. Rogerebert’s review suggests the movie is more successful when embraced as a supernatural thriller rather than a haunted-house spectacle. Roger Ebert
Occult Lore & Mythic Depth
The inclusion of a witch’s totem, the Disciples of the Ram cult, ancestral curses, and the occultist’s identity adds new mythic layers to the Conjuring universe. Roger Ebert+3theconjuringuniverse.fandom.com+3Wikipedia+3
The film also links back to previous lore: the Perron family, the Annabelle doll, and artifact room elements appear as callbacks. Spoiler Town+2Wikipedia+2
Horror / Scare Execution
While some scary sequences land, critics often point out that the film lacks the kinetic haunted-house energy of the Wan-directed originals. The horror leans more into the procedural, with fewer iconic scares. Horror Movie Talk+3Roger Ebert+3Geeks Under Grace+3
Rogerebert notes: “if you abandon your desire to watch a terrifying haunted-house movie … and settle for the investigative thriller … you might have a decent time.” Roger Ebert
3. Themes & Messages
- Culpability & Free Will — The film grapples with the unsettling question: can evil override human choice? In a legal context, this becomes dramatized as “The devil made me do it.”
- Faith & Skepticism — Ed’s line, “The court accepts God… I think it’s time they accept the devil,” highlights the tension between belief and proof. Medium+1
- Legacy of Evil — The idea that curses and malevolent influence can span generations is threaded through the totem, ancestral sins, and occult lineage.
- Love & Redemption — The relationship between Ed and Lorraine is tested under strain. Lorraine, in particular, carries much of the emotional burden as Ed is affected by the curse. Spoiler Town+3Medium+3Roger Ebert+3
- Justice vs. Supernatural — Blending horror with courtroom drama raises questions about how much the world of law can accommodate supernatural forces.
Holiday or seasonal parallels are subtle: one could see this film as a confrontation with darkness before resolution, or a trial before redemption — themes occasionally echoed in stories around reflection, suffering, and hope.
4. Personal Impressions
I approached The Devil Made Me Do It hoping it would expand the scope of the Conjuring films, and in many senses, it does. But it’s a mixed bag.
What I liked:
- The opening exorcism sequence is visceral and unsettling — a strong start.
- Farmiga and Wilson remain emotionally anchors; their chemistry helps when the plot feels unwieldy.
- The mythic expansions (totems, curses, cult) give new breathing room to the franchise.
- In many moments, the movie leans into dread more than jump scares — it earns tension via implication.
What didn’t work as well:
- The horror elements sometimes feel diluted; the film prioritizes plot over scares.
- The mixture of genres (courtroom, occult, investigation) leads to tonal unevenness.
- Supporting characters are relatively underdeveloped; motivations often feel functional.
- By trying to reinterpret Conjuring into a supernatural thriller rather than haunted-house horror, it loses some of the intimacy and familiarity that defined the first two films.
In sum, it’s ambitious, with good intentions, but doesn’t always stick the landing.
5. Audience Recommendations
You may enjoy this film if:
- You are invested in the Conjuring Universe and like seeing new directions in the mythos.
- You prefer supernatural mysteries / occult thrillers over pure haunted-house horror.
- You care about the Warren characters and their relationship — their emotional core is a highlight.
- You like horror that balances investigation and supernatural over non-stop scares.
You may be disappointed if:
- You expect the sharp scares, atmosphere, and pace of the first two Conjuring films.
- You demand deeper character arcs and clean narrative structure.
- You dislike mixing horror with procedural or courtroom elements.
6. Conclusion & Rating
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It diverges from the haunted-house roots, moving toward supernatural thriller territory. It succeeds in parts — particularly in performance, mythic ambition, and occasional dread — but falls short of the taut, iconic horror of its predecessors.
If you’re willing to accept it as a different flavor of Conjuring rather than a return to form, it’s an interesting ride.
Final Recommendation: Stream it if you love the Warrens and want to see horror expanded into darker, broader territory — but don’t expect it to recapture the same eerie magic as before.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)
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