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The Rewatchables ·

The Conjuring

year 2013decade 10sdirector James Wangenre Horrorgenre Fantasy
host Bill Simmonshost Sean Fennesseyhost Chris Ryanguest Ben Simmonsproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 20 categories

Most Rewatchable Scene · 44:36

The wall-to-basement sequence

Bill Simmons: The opening Annabelle scene is praised for establishing the horror premise.

Bill Simmons: The sisters sensing someone by the door and Bathsheba appearing atop the dresser are nominated.

The film

The Conjuring (2013)

Directed by James Wan · Horror

112

IMDb Letterboxd Find on JustWatch Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Vera Farmiga Lorraine Warren
Patrick Wilson Ed Warren
Ron Livingston Roger Perron
Lili Taylor Carolyn Perron

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

33:18

What’s Aged the Best?

The three stages of demonic activity

The three stages of demonic activity

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:33:18Read transcript
  • The explanation of infestation, oppression and possession is frightening precisely because the escalation is laid out so casually. — Bill Simmons
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44:36

Most Rewatchable Scene

The wall-to-basement sequence; Nancy’s hair-pulling scene; the clapping game

The wall-to-basement sequence; Nancy’s hair-pulling scene; the clapping game

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:36Read transcript
  • The opening Annabelle scene is praised for establishing the horror premise. — Bill Simmons
  • The sisters sensing someone by the door and Bathsheba appearing atop the dresser are nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • “Look what you made me do,” Lorraine’s daughter entering the artifact room and the climactic exorcism are additional candidates; the preferred sustained stretch begins with Rory’s hiding place and Lorraine falling into the basement. — Bill Simmons
  • Nancy being dragged by her hair is another preference, especially the shot of her flying across the room.
  • The clapping game is a separate favorite and the first truly frightening moment for that participant. — Sean Fennessey
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49:40

What’s Aged the Best?

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga; the period setting; Annabelle; horror-movie rules; cinematic nostalgia; Lili Taylor

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga; the period setting; Annabelle; horror-movie rules; cinematic nostalgia; Lili Taylor

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:40Read transcript
  • Wilson and Farmiga are praised as talented, appropriately famous leads; her unusual energy makes her especially well cast. — Bill Simmons
  • The leads are praised for serving the horror premise rather than demanding showy character showcases; the period setting makes the film timeless. — Chris Ryan
  • Annabelle’s redesign from a less frightening real-life doll is praised, along with the opening claim that the case had been kept secret. — Bill Simmons
  • The first two horror rules are to leave a house with a secret crawl space and noose, and listen to a dog that refuses to enter. — Bill Simmons
  • The quick dismissal of the dead dog prompts a disputed claim that people cared less about pets in the 1970s.
  • Further rules concern a boarded-up cellar and researching a house bought at bank auction. — Bill Simmons
  • Repeated disturbances at the same overnight hour and unexplained bruising should alert the family. — Bill Simmons
  • Slow zooms, title fonts and homages to earlier horror films are praised; Lili Taylor is singled out as perfectly cast.
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57:05

What’s Aged the Worst?

The family’s failure to research the house

The family’s failure to research the house

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:05Read transcript
  • The Warrens uncover the house’s history almost immediately; the family should have checked local records or heard from neighbors. — Chris Ryan
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1:03:37

What’s Aged the Worst?

Ron Livingston’s underplayed father

Ron Livingston’s underplayed father

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:37Read transcript
  • The father is criticized as helpless and lacking clear traits, with an oddly subdued response to possession. — Bill Simmons
  • The father’s strange hair raises the question of whether he is wearing a wig. — Sean Fennessey
  • The film should either emphasize his absence as a long-haul trucker or introduce a darker quality; John C. Reilly and John Hawkes are floated as alternatives. — Chris Ryan
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1:05:41

Casting What-Ifs

No casting alternatives located in research

No casting alternatives located in research

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:05:41Read transcript
  • No actual casting what-ifs were found; the original title is reported as The Warren Files. — Bill Simmons
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1:06:01

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

The Conjuring; The Warren Files

The Conjuring; The Warren Files

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:01Read transcript
  • The renamed title is initially endorsed, then challenged because the spirit appears without being summoned. — Bill Simmons
  • The Plywood Affair and “Don't bust the plywood” are joking alternatives; The Warren Files inspires unrelated Warren-name jokes. — Bill Simmons
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1:07:12

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

John Brotherton as Brad; Joey King; Mackenzie Foy

John Brotherton as Brad; Joey King; Mackenzie Foy

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:12Read transcript
  • Brad is the first choice despite difficulty naming his actor; Joey King and Mackenzie Foy are counter-nominations based on their later careers, with an objection that King is recognizable. — Bill Simmons
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1:07:46

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Lili Taylor

Lili Taylor

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:46Read transcript
  • Taylor wins approvingly because possession requires an expansive performance; Joey King is an outside candidate.
  • Taylor’s initially warm normality makes her eventual possession seem inevitable given expectations of her screen persona.
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1:09:11

Brandy Booth Award for Best Performance by a Pet

Sadie the dog

Sadie the dog

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:11Read transcript
  • Sadie earns only five out of ten chewies for insufficient fear, compared with the dog in The Amityville Horror. — Bill Simmons
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1:09:43

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Bathsheba

Bathsheba

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:43Read transcript
  • Bathsheba becomes the agreed choice after initial uncertainty; Brad and Drew are the other possible candidates. — Bill Simmons
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1:10:01

Recasting Couch

Jon Hamm; Deadwood actors; Chris Bauer

Jon Hamm; Deadwood actors; Chris Bauer

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:01Read transcript
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1:12:02

Half-Assed Internet Research

House history; artificial tree; reported supernatural set incident; Amityville connection; Bathsheba; homeowners’ law...

House history; artificial tree; reported supernatural set incident; Amityville connection; Bathsheba; homeowners’ lawsuit

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:02Read transcript
  • Research reports deaths across eight generations in the house and a 50-foot artificial tree built for the movie. — Bill Simmons
  • The visiting family’s report of a sudden cold wind on set is explicitly met with skepticism. — Bill Simmons
  • The closing Long Island reference is linked to Amityville, prompting discussion of a possible fuller crossover and rights uncertainty. — Bill Simmons
  • The historical Bathsheba was reportedly cleared of accusations and died naturally in 1885 rather than by hanging.
  • Later homeowners reportedly sued after the movie led to tourism, vandalism and threatening activity; the outcome is unknown to the hosts. — Bill Simmons
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1:14:16

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bathsheba’s hanging feet

Bathsheba’s hanging feet

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:16Read transcript
  • The image of hanging feet during the Warrens’ arrival is belatedly recalled and praised. — Sean Fennessey
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1:14:48

Apex Mountain

Lili Taylor; Patrick Wilson (disputed); haunted-house movies (disputed)

Lili Taylor; Patrick Wilson (disputed); haunted-house movies (disputed)

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:48Read transcript
  • The combination of this film and Girls supports a Patrick Wilson Apex argument; Little Children is preferred as acting work, and his franchise success is questioned as career leverage. — Bill Simmons
  • Aquaman and continuing franchise roles are cited against Wilson having substantially advanced; Little Children is another proposed career peak. — Sean Fennessey
  • Lili Taylor’s leading role in a major hit is accepted as her Apex despite personal affection for Say Anything. — Bill Simmons
  • Haunted-house films are proposed, but the late-1970s wave and Insidious compete with this period.
  • Rhode Island is considered without a settled answer; sports and other film references are floated. — Bill Simmons
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1:19:07

Picking Nits

Low human body count; the motel plan; Bathsheba’s travel

Low human body count; the motel plan; Bathsheba’s travel

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:07Read transcript
  • The lack of human deaths is criticized, with Brad or Drew suggested as casualties; Sadie’s death and Brad’s injury are raised in response. — Chris Ryan
  • Sending the family to a motel appears pointless if the entity can follow them; Bathsheba’s travel to the Warrens’ home without a vessel is also questioned. — Sean Fennessey
  • The father’s errand during the crisis is criticized as another weak character beat. — Bill Simmons
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1:21:20

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

“You have a lot of spirits in here, but there’s one I’m most worried about because it’s so hateful.”

“You have a lot of spirits in here, but there’s one I’m most worried about because it’s so hateful.”

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:20Read transcript
  • The use of “hateful” makes the warning especially effective. — Bill Simmons
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1:21:20

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A ten-episode Netflix series

A ten-episode Netflix series

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:20Read transcript
  • A limited-series version is proposed, with disagreement and a comparison to The Haunting of Hill House. — Bill Simmons
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1:22:08

Probably Unanswerable Questions

What is Bathsheba doing now?

What is Bathsheba doing now?

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:08Read transcript
  • What Bathsheba is doing now and her take on the basketball bubble become jokes.
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1:22:08

Who Won the Movie?

Lili Taylor; James Wan; Vera Farmiga

Lili Taylor; James Wan; Vera Farmiga

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:08Read transcript
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Lili Taylor
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More from the conversation

The film is praised as an encyclopedia of haunted-house technique, combining classic influences with found-footage-era innovations.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:51Read transcript
Haunted-house films offer economical single-location production and stories about ordinary families; this film uses multiple points of view.
Approx. transcript time · 00:07:31Read transcript
The film is praised for clear, steady execution, production design, sound and scares rather than innovation; the two central couples anchor the supernatural premise.
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:28Read transcript
Discussion distinguishes extreme bodily horror, frightening movies and a broader definition of horror, including disagreement about The Silence of the Lambs.
Approx. transcript time · 00:19:59Read transcript
The hosts compare theatrical and home scares, citing Drag Me to Hell, The Blair Witch Project, The Shining, The Exorcist III and Audition as memorable experiences.
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:12Read transcript
The film is distinguished from punishment-based slashers by its wholesome couples; the hosts debate whether the Warrens’ faith and the closing statement make it a Christian film.
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:54Read transcript
Reported development difficulties lead into the franchise’s artifact-room structure, which permits connected but accessible standalone stories.
Approx. transcript time · 00:34:27Read transcript
The reported $20 million budget and $319 million worldwide gross prompt an argument that July competition skewed toward children and left room for an adult horror hit.
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:48Read transcript
Ben Simmons describes haunted-house films as scarier and more varied than slashers, mourns Sadie, and learns that his father caused the mysteriously closing bedroom door.
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:38Read transcript