The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)

May 25, 2021 (US) • Horror, Mystery, Thriller • 111m

Overview

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren encounter what would become one of the most sensational cases from their files. The fight for the soul of a young boy takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

Director

Michael Chaves

Writers

David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan

Top Billed

Vera Farmiga

Keywords

supernatural exorcism connecticut sequel paranormal investigation 1980s religious horror intense

Where to watch

Free / Included

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Top Billed Cast

Vera Farmiga

Lorraine Warren

Patrick Wilson

Ed Warren

Sterling Jerins

Judy Warren

Sarah Catherine Hook

Debbie Glatzel

Ruairí O'Connor

Arne Cheyne Johnson

Julian Hilliard

David Glatzel

Charlene Amoia

Judy Glatzel

John Noble

Father Kastner

Eugenie Bondurant

The Occultist

Shannon Kook

Drew Thomas

Ronnie Gene Blevins

Bruno

Keith Arthur Bolden

Sergeant Clay

Steve Coulter

Father Gordon

Vince Pisani

Father Newman

Megan Ashley Brown

Lorraine Warren (teenage)

Mitchell Hoog

Ed Warren (teenage)

Andrea Andrade

Katie

Ashley LeConte Campbell

Meryl Dewitt

Davis Osborne

John Beckett

Paul Wilson

Carl Glatzel

Mark Rowe

Sergeant Thomas

Stella Doyle

Mrs. Haskett

Ingrid Bisu

Jessica

Stacy Johnson

Lindsay Ayliffe

Judge

Nicky Buggs

Witch Woman

Rebecca Lines

Witch #2

Robert Walker Branchaud

Prison Guard

Nicholas Massouh

Doctor

Chris Greene

Deputy

Kaleka

Jury Foreman

Fabio William

Bill Ramsey

Crew

David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Story

Christian Wagner

Editor

Chad Hayes

Characters

Carey Hayes

Characters

Emerald Gordon Wulf

Stunt Double

Shauna Galligan

Stunt Double

Jess Durham

Stunt Double

Bryan Haines

VFX Artist

Michael Babcock

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Jason W. Jennings

Supervising Sound Editor

Jason W. Jennings

Sound Designer

Dave McMoyler

Sound Effects Editor

Arnaud Brisebois

Visual Effects Supervisor

Eric Bruneau

Visual Effects Producer

Claire Callway

Visual Effects Producer

Melanie La Rue

Visual Effects Producer

Louis-Charles Lapointe

Visual Effects Producer

Mark LeDoux

Visual Effects Supervisor

Ineke Majoor

Visual Effects Producer

Laurent Meste

VFX Artist

Robert Nederhorst

Visual Effects Supervisor

Josh Simmonds

Visual Effects Supervisor

Ben Sumner

VFX Artist

Olcun Tan

Visual Effects Supervisor

Kamyllia Vasseur

VFX Artist

Virginie Wintrebert

Visual Effects Producer

Susan L. Bertram

Costume Supervisor

Jordan Johnson

Set Costumer

Maegan Robinson

Set Costumer

Molly Miller

Stunt Double

Reetu Aggarwal

3D Artist

Paul Murphy

Grip

Chris Giles

Sound Mixer

Joseph Bishara

Original Music Composer

Alayna Glasthal

Executive Producer's Assistant

James Wan

Producer

Peter Safran

Producer

Justin Kratzer

Accounting Clerk Assistant

Danielle Bozzone

Executive Producer's Assistant

David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Screenplay

Michael Chaves

Director

Michael Burgess

Director of Photography

Judson Scott

Executive Producer

Victoria Palmeri

Executive Producer

Dave Neustadter

Executive Producer

Michelle Morrissey

Executive Producer

Will Greenfield

Co-Producer

Michael Clear

Executive Producer

Richard Brener

Executive Producer

Peter Gvozdas

Editor

Anne McCarthy

Casting

Kellie Roy

Casting

Jennifer Spence

Production Design

Rachel Block

Supervising Art Director

Peter Borck

Supervising Art Director

Julian Scalia

Supervising Art Director

Lisa Son

Set Decoration

Leah Butler

Costume Design

James Wan

Story

Lance Aldredge

Hairstylist

Charmaine Balcerzak

Hairstylist

Suzanna Boykin

Hairstylist

Laura Dandridge

Makeup Artist

Melanie Deforrest

Makeup Artist

Sarah Graham

Makeup Artist

Jennifer Hodges

Hairstylist

Kimberly Jones

Key Makeup Artist

Adruitha Lee

Hair Department Head

Missy Lisenby

Makeup Artist

Eleanor Sabaduquia

Makeup Department Head

Melizah Anguiano Wheat

Key Hair Stylist

Darla Wigley

Makeup Artist

Will Greenfield

Unit Production Manager

Tricia Miles

Post Production Supervisor

Jeffrey Wetzel

First Assistant Director

David Waters

Second Unit First Assistant Director

Joann Connolly

Second Assistant Director

Kristen B. Adams

Set Designer

Ian J. Anderson

Leadman

Hajr Avant

Art Department Assistant

Cecelia Backiel

Art Department Assistant

Maxwell Britton

Set Dresser

Reuben Derek Brown

Prop Maker

Shana McKay Burns

Set Designer

Frank Casaceli

Prop Maker

Colton Comans

Set Dresser

Kevin Crooks

Set Designer

Curtis Crowe

Construction Coordinator

Jonathan Miles DeRosa

Props

Faith Farrell

Scenic Artist

Duncan Fletcher

Set Dresser

Kate Forry Guanci

Property Master

Jordan Foster

Set Dresser

Madeline Grayson

Props

Herbie Henderson

On Set Dresser

Al Hobbs

Set Designer

Lauren Lebow

Art Department Coordinator

Meagen Lee

Graphic Designer

Jason Redbeard Lewis

Carpenter

Alexander K. Riba

Set Dresser

Bridget Shaw

Storyboard Artist

Kurt Peterson

Boom Operator

D. Chris Smith

Sound Designer

Jon Title

Sound Effects Editor

Donny Eidson

Pyrotechnician

Kyle A. Wasserman

Special Effects Technician

Ian Sutton

Special Effects Technician

Joel Studer

Special Effects Technician

Wayne Rowe

Special Effects Coordinator

Jody Blose

Script Supervisor

Ian Broucek

Music Supervisor

Stuart Sperling

Assistant Editor

Liz Calandrello

First Assistant Editor

Jerry Wheat

Lighting Technician

Jeff Wallace

Assistant Chief Lighting Technician

Mark Sunderland

Additional Lighting Technician

Deon Slacks

Lighting Technician

Nick Seoane

Lighting Technician

Riko Schatke

Best Boy Grip

Paul Sanford

Grip

Jesse Roth

Camera Operator

Jesse Roth

Second Unit Director of Photography

Brian Rosso

Camera Operator

Mike Robertson

Rigging Gaffer

Louis Rendemonti

Lighting Technician

Joseph Parker

Grip

Caroline Oelkers

Loader

Scott Montgomery

Camera Car

BJ McDonnell

Steadicam Operator

Matthew C. McCarthy

Best Boy Grip

Matt Matches

Second Assistant "B" Camera

Colin Lutke

Lighting Technician

Eric Leach

Second Unit Director of Photography

Jeff LaBaume

Lighting Technician

Darryl Humber

Dolly Grip

Chris Lumpkin

Key Rigging Grip

Jeff 'Moose' Howery

Key Grip

Matthew Haskins

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Lexi Guenard

Camera Production Assistant

Mark Gilmer

Digital Imaging Technician

Tony Gandolfi

Grip

Joshua Davis

Gaffer

Kenneth Bolton

Dolly Grip

Mike Black

Grip

Nicholas Xli Anderson

Rigging Grip

Jason Augustin

Additional Lighting Technician

Sara Bennett

Assistant Editor

Jessica Merideth

Stunts

Brittany Upchurch

Set Decoration Buyer

Collection

The Conjuring Collection

The Conjuring

The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

The Conjuring: Last Rites

Reviews

Manuel São Bento

⭐ 6/10

June 6, 2021

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
https://www.msbreviews.com

I've always questioned myself why The Conjuring Universe possesses more spin-offs than main titles since The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 are, by far, the best films of the popular horror franchise. Looking at the numbers, The Nun holds the box office record, being the most successful movie of the saga financially, but ironically enough, it's also the most disliked film by both critics and audience members. The viral marketing campaign obviously hyped this spin-off to an unbelievable level of expectation, but it's still strange that it took five years to deliver another The Conjuring flick since both previous installments were tremendously profitable as well.

With James Wan out of the director's chair and without a screenplay credit, my expectations weren't exactly high. Wan is one of the main reasons why The Conjuring movies work so well. From his ability to generate an enormous amount of suspense to the actually scary atmosphere, Wan is definitely one of the best horror directors of the last decade. Therefore, replacing him would always be a challenging task. Michael Chaves directed The Curse of La Llorona, a generic, bland horror flick that didn't have a single surprising element. However, I did compliment Chaves' work with the horror sequences since I did find them somewhat effective. So, I was still feeling optimistic about The Devil Made Me Do It...

It's admittedly the weakest film of the trilogy, but it's still far from the awful Annabelle Comes Home or the hideous origin story about the famous nun. When it comes to the main titles, the exceptional production value is something all have in common. In fact, this latest flick is arguably the best-looking one. The horror sequences look stunning on the big screen, and the sound design is extremely impactful as always. It's worth remembering that this franchise doesn't waste hundreds of millions to make its movies, being a relatively low-budget cinematic universe, especially when compared to every other studio's massive sagas. Practical effects are always the go-to if possible, keeping the use of CGI to the minimum.

Acting-wise, it's also where these films triumph. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga share palpable chemistry, deeply elevating their characters' emotional connection. At its core, The Conjuring features a love story between Ed and Lorraine Warren, ultimately being their grounded, convincing, loving relationship that keeps the viewers interested in the least "based on a true story" events. Both actors deliver remarkable performances, as does the legendary John Noble (The Lord of the Rings, Fringe) as a former priest. I didn't know about his casting before the movie, so I was genuinely surprised by seeing Noble on the big screen again. He's absolutely phenomenal, as expected, and quite creepy as a mysterious character.

Everyone else is decent enough, but I don't find any other interpretation worth noting. Unfortunately, this is as far as I can go compliment-wise. The primary narrative surrounding the actual case that gives the name to the film is nowhere near as interesting as the stories told in the previous The Conjuring movies. The case itself doesn't have much to tell, so the majority of the film rests on following the beloved couple going on side quests as detectives. Eventually, the clues found are connected to the main plot, but overall, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick's screenplay isn't that captivating. Despite the predictability and formulaic horror elements, there's a rather enjoyable "twist" to the whole "demon possession" routine that marks the entire franchise.

The biggest disappointment is something I feared would happen without James Wan at the helm. The once terrifying, suspenseful atmosphere during the effective, creative jumpscare sequences now gives place to the generic build-up that viewers experience in some of the cheapest horror movies of today. Due to a character's health issue, the tension levels are constantly high for this person in particular, but for most of the runtime, the general environment lacks the essential scary feeling. The jumpscares look lazy and too obvious, a cliche that The Conjuring films fought hard to distance themselves from. In addition to this, it's a much darker movie than the rest in terms of lighting.

Finally, I have mixed feelings about the ending. Without spoiling it, of course, it's similar to A Quiet Place Part II in the sense that two different sequences need to be edited together seamlessly so the viewers can easily follow what's happening without losing the tension and suspense. One of these scenes is particularly shaky, repetitive, and overly dark, which definitely left me a bit disappointed. Peter Gvozdas and Christian Wagner's editing is really good, though. Michael Burgess' cinematography offers a couple of gorgeous shots, and Joseph Bishara's score maintains the ominous tone of the franchise. James Wan is clearly missed, but Michael Chaves didn't do a bad job.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is undoubtedly the weakest installment of the trilogy, but it's still quite far from the awful level of the worst films of the horror franchise. Boasting the trademark terrific production value of the saga, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga deliver outstanding lead performances as the only two emotionally compelling characters. Overall, every element is lesser than the previous The Conjuring movies. From the less scary atmosphere to the unimaginative, generic jumpscares, Michael Chaves isn't able to replicate James Wan's tremendous levels of suspense and tension, despite a brilliant opening sequence. David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick's screenplay focuses on many storylines indirectly connected to the main plot, ending up with a not-that-interesting narrative that doesn't quite justify the main title. Some technical attributes, mainly the editing and cinematography, as well as sound design, compensate with some entertainment. In the end, I still recommend it to fans of the cinematic universe and lovers of the horror genre.

Rating: B-

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JPV852

⭐ 7/10

June 8, 2021

Decent enough third entry that gets a little goofy at the end but I liked it, though not quite as good as the first two. I'd say Michael Chaves did a fine job directing utilizing some of the tricks James Wan did in the previous entries (like a one-shot scene going through the house early on). But like the others, the biggest plus is with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga who were again wonderful together. **3.5/5**

Rene

⭐ 6/10

July 8, 2021

So I watched the movie and what started off well, end up like a half way Romance movie. It had it's up and downs and then peaked and fell flat. Expected abit more for a series that is this good usually.

Giovanni

⭐ 7/10

November 8, 2021

Full Analysis at https://www.spotamovie.com/ - **Intro** - Released in June 2021, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” is an American-British production that lasts for one hour and fifty-two minutes. It belongs to the genres of religion, crime, horror and drama, and it’s part of the “Conjuring Universe.” The trial of Arne Johnson inspired the movie. The film is not precisely the reproduction of what happened. But we need to remember that it’s… read the rest.