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The Conjuring poster

The Conjuring

year 2013decade 10sdirector James Wangenre Horror

112

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

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

The Conjuring | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Sean Fennesseyhost Chris Ryanguest Ben Simmonsproducer Craig Horlbeck
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What’s Aged the Best?

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.

Most Rewatchable Scene

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.
  • The sisters sensing someone by the door and Bathsheba appearing atop the dresser are nominated.
  • “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.
  • 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.

What’s Aged the Best?

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.
  • The leads are praised for serving the horror premise rather than demanding showy character showcases; the period setting makes the film timeless.
  • Annabelle’s redesign from a less frightening real-life doll is praised, along with the opening claim that the case had been kept secret.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Repeated disturbances at the same overnight hour and unexplained bruising should alert the family.
  • Slow zooms, title fonts and homages to earlier horror films are praised; Lili Taylor is singled out as perfectly cast.

What’s Aged the Worst?

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.

What’s Aged the Worst?

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.
  • The father’s strange hair raises the question of whether he is wearing a wig.
  • 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.

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

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.
  • The Plywood Affair and “Don't bust the plywood” are joking alternatives; The Warren Files inspires unrelated Warren-name jokes.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

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.

Most Rewatchable Scene

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.

Apex Mountain

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.
  • Aquaman and continuing franchise roles are cited against Wilson having substantially advanced; Little Children is another proposed career peak.
  • Lili Taylor’s leading role in a major hit is accepted as her Apex despite personal affection for Say Anything.
  • 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.