The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Dir: Michael Chaves

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Having recently rewatched the first two films in this popular supernatural horror franchise, it only made sense to watch the third film as well. I was yet to watch it, but I had a feeling I knew what I was going to be getting, even with a change in director, from James Wan to Michael Chaves. This was once again based on one of the many controversial cases of the equally controversial Warren family, but was a case I was far less familiar with.

The film had, as expected, a fairly similar visual style as the previous films, but, dare I say it, less drab and stylised. It arguably also had better camerawork than the prior films, which was definitely something I noticed. Aside from that, the film wasn't overly notable, from a cinematography point of view. There was some slightly dodgy looking CGI, but excluding that, this wasn't a bad looking film.

The film repeated a lot of the same, increasingly tired, formula of screeching strings music and look-again jumpscares that the previous two films had utilised before it. Whilst this was still effective to a point, it meant that nothing about the film felt particularly new or unique compared to the other films, nor was it particularly scary. The atmosphere created by the film was solid, but it felt like it should have been a lot scarier than it was.

The story was full of the same kind of waffle that has been based on the claims of the Warren family over the years. I honestly think these films would be just fine if they weren't about the Warrens or their supposed supernatural investigations and experiences. I would be more sympathetic if these films said they were inspired by accounts or claims, but to call them true events is laughable. I digress, in terms of actual quality of writing and narrative, this was fine - not great, but not terrible. It was easy enough to watch.

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga pretty much rinse and repeat their performances from the other films. Once again, I thought that Farmiga was the stronger and more consistent of the two. I love the chemistry these two have together, if there's one thing that these films have consistently got right, its the on-screen relationship between Wilson and Farmiga. I think they have become one of the most iconic duos in the horror genre.

In regards to the supporting cast, the only performances that stood out were from Ruairi O'Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook, and John Noble. Mind you, none of them excelled, but they deserved mentioning before some of the other names, some of which I will still mention now; Julian Hilliard, Charlene Amoia, Eugenie Bondurant, and Sterling Jerins.

Overall, despite having a fair few issues with it, I actually enjoyed watching the film more than my review might convey. It might be a bit ridiculous, and based on some shaky source material to say the least, but it still, much like its franchise comrades, has its place in horror. I think it would be a fairly safe bet that anybody who enjoyed the first two would enjoy this one as well. It's also worth saying that, although these films haven't been amazing, I still want to watch the fourth one.