'The Conjuring: Last Rites' True Story: Why Was It The Warren's Last Case? Release Date, New Cast And More

Following the worldwide success of The Conjuring movies, the franchise is returning to the big screen with one more installment. As expected, stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are back as paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren.

In the latest instalment, the Warrens are back for a final case together onscreen, and this time, they're dealing with one of their most challenging cases yet, along with a demon that they've encountered in the past. The Last Rites also features some new faces to the franchise, including an actress portraying an adult version of the Warrens' daughter, Judy.

What's the True Story Behind 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'?

This time, The Conjuring franchise makes its way to West Pittston, Pennsylvania, where the Smurl family found themselves living through a nightmare. Their story made national headlines after the Smurls went public with their story, and the Warrens visited their home in 1986.

By then, husband and wife Jack and Jane Smurl, along with their children, had already been through the worst. 'Being made afraid to live is what it has come down to,' Janet even remarked during a televised interview with Newswatch 16. 'Ghouls' reportedly terrorized the couple's children and dogs as they were 'thrown around.' Meanwhile, Jack was also sexually assaulted by the entities terrorizing their home.

In the archived footage, Lorraine and Ed Warren (who actively took on cases up until their deaths) were also shown making their way inside the Smurl home, with Ed later claiming on camera that whatever was haunting the family was 'very powerful.' 'There's something in this home which has the intelligence to inflict physical and psychological harm upon this family,' he later added as Lorraine stood beside him.

The haunting at the Smurl family home would also later become the subject of Robert Mandel's 1991 TV movie The Haunted. In the film, Diane Baker portrayed Lorraine while Stephen Markle played Ed. Since then, not much has been reported about the Smurl haunting over the years, until it became the subject of the latest Conjuring movie. In the film, Lorraine (Farmiga) claims that the evil presence in the Smurl home is something that she's encountered before, although it is unclear if this part of the storyline is true.

'The Conjuring: Last Rites': Worldwide Release Date and New Cast Members

The latest Conjuring movie sees Wilson and Farmiga take on a final case together onscreen. And just like in previous movies, the case becomes a family affair once more, which is why Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy have joined the cast.

In Last Rites, Tomlinson plays the couple's daughter, Judy Warren (now Judy Spera in real life). In previous Conjuring universe movies, actresses Mckenna Grace and Sterling Jerins also portrayed Judy onscreen in her younger years. Meanwhile, Hardy plays Tony Spera, Judy's boyfriend in the movie's timeline (Judy and Tony have since been married).

Aside from Wilson, Farmiga, Tomlinson, and Hardy, the final Conjuring film also sees the return of cast member Steve Coulter as Father Gordon. Meanwhile, Rebecca Calder portrays Janet Smurl in the movie.

According to Warner Bros., the latest Conjuring instalment will hit North America IMAX® and theaters on September 5. Meanwhile, the movie will begin its international release on September 3.