The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. The Conjuring was released in the United States and Canada on July 19, 2013, and is set to be released in the United Kingdom on August 02, 2013.
The film tells the story of real-life paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). It focuses on the particular case of the 1970s Perron family haunting in Rhode Island.
Several box office analysts suggested that the film would take the top spot in the domestic box office as well as pulling in a weekend total of over $30 million. The film brought in $3.3 million from its Thursday night showings
The Conjuring received critical acclaim both leading up to and during its theatrical release. Here's what critics have to say :
Claudia Puig of USA Today: "One of the scarier haunted house/demon possession movies in recent years, it brings to mind '70s supernatural horror films such as 'The Exorcist' with its stillness, steady build of suspense and handsome cinematography."
Kate Erbland of MSN Movies: "...it surpasses the hallmarks of its genre with an actually dramatic storyline and all-around solid acting. Just don't think you can go see it alone."
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Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal: "This saga of demonic possession deploys the full audio firepower of modern multiplexes, and does so with brain-battering frequency, like a ghostbusting version of a Japanese Taiko drum ensemble."
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone: "It scared the living crap out of me. Only at the movies is that a compliment. So kudos to 'The Conjuring' for putting fresh fire into the overworked haunted-house genre."
Justin Chang of Variety: "A sensationally entertaining old-school freakout and one of the smartest, most viscerally effective thrillers in recent memory."
Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly gave it an A-: "Wan masterfully tightens the vise on the audience's nerves, using mood and sound effects for shocks that never feel cheap (the harmless kids' game of hide-and-clap has never been so bloodcurdling)."
Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune: "An 'Amityville Horror' for a new century (and a far better movie than that 1979 hit), yet firmly rooted, without being slavish or self-conscious, in the visual language of 1970s filmmaking.
Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter: "Taut and effective edge-of-the-seat horror, delivered with style and an especially haunting performance by Vera Farmiga."
The most impressive element of The Conjuring, though, ultimately proves to be its utter relentlessness, steadily cranking the screws without resorting to easy jump scares to tone down the tension.
While always playing fair, it qualifies as one of those rare scary movies that put the viewer through the absolute wringer, without leaving them feeling ill-used at the end.
Do you plan to see "The Conjuring"...! Prepare to jump...!
