Warner Bros’ The Conjuring: Last Rites debuted in theaters just days ago and is already shattering records. The ninth installment in the Conjuring universe has surpassed previous benchmarks set by The Nun, earning an astounding $194 million worldwide during its opening weekend, making it the largest global debut for a horror film in history.
PopWire recently connected with two of the film’s rising stars, Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith, who reflected on the early success of Last Rites, their experience working alongside franchise icons Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, and the family-centered themes that ground the supernatural movie.
“It’s incredibly exciting and sort of mind-blowing,” Lawlor tells us. “I think it’s just so cool that people have come out and are coming to watch this movie in theaters. I think that’s just really nice and inspiring as a lover of films and as a filmmaker and actor. I’m just so happy that people are going to see the film in theaters.”
Smith echoes that sentiment: “It’s just incredible that it’s getting acknowledged as the incredible movie that it is. It’s so amazing to get a worldwide release that’s appreciated by so many people.”
Both actors deliver standout performances, with Smith in particular drawing attention for his striking resemblance to a young Patrick Wilson. To ensure their portrayals aligned with the established characters, the pair worked closely with Wilson and Farmiga during preparation.
“Patrick set aside time with me, and we went through my scenes beat by beat,” Smith shares. “He gave me advice on the character, the voice, and the mannerisms. It was such a gift to work with him. He’s a very busy man, and I thought, ‘I don’t want to waste your time, I’m just a nobody.’ But he was just so generous and it was really sweet.”
Warner Bros. Pictures
Lawlor recounts a similar experience with Farmiga: “She and I sat down together and went through everything, and also talked about her knowledge of Lorraine in general. She taught me how to wrap the rosary around my hand [the way] she does. She was really very generous with her time, extremely kind and gracious, and also said to have ownership over [the role]. She was very encouraging.”
What distinguishes The Conjuring: Last Rites from earlier films in the franchise is its strong theme of family and being there for your loved ones. This ninth and possibly final entry is very family focused and oftentimes feature emotional, heart-tugging scenes mixed in with all the scares.
For these two young stars, they express that the overall message of the film is to live in the present with your family and to not take anything for granted.
“Hold on tight to the ones you love,” Orion Smith reflects. “Through the worst of situations, as long as you hold on to those people, it’ll be okay. You can make it through so much if you just stay sturdy with those around you.”
“As maybe cliche as this saying is, I think one thing that’s apparent throughout with the Warrens and throughout this whole film is that love does conquer all,” Madison Lawlor adds. “It’s paying attention to the right things, even for Lorraine and for Judy in this film, it’s like focusing. Don’t give all of your attention to the negative, focus on the positive, focus on the bright and the light.
“And I think that this film ends hopefully on a light note. And that is something we all can take away from the movie.”
The Conjuring: Last Rites is now playing exclusively in theaters.
