By Annabel Simmons

As layers of red and orange begin to coat the trees and brief gusts of crisp air suppress the lingering summer heat, you may find yourself yearning for the fall season. This feeling is particularly familiar to many horror film fanatics, as the changing weather can foster a compelling atmosphere for the indulgence of unnerving visuals.

Sophie Williams-Richmond, an English creative writing major, has a special interest in the horror genre. Because fall encompasses the holiday of Halloween, she largely associates the season with horror movies. The holiday’s modern traditions of dressing in fearsome costumes, trick-or-treating and carving jack-o’-lanterns cultivate the perfect nightmarish setting for viewing horror films.

“Halloween is the scary holiday, the one associated with death, because it is when your surroundings are just beginning to die,” Williams-Richmond said. “But fall also marks a transition. As summer closes and people are more inclined to isolate themselves in their houses, you witness a chill just barely creep in.”

Just in time for the approaching fall season, the Conjuring franchise recently released its fourth and final chapter of the main “Conjuring” series. Following the real lives of two paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), the Conjuring universe is a series of horror films that gained popularity in 2013.

“It’s undeniable that the Conjuring franchise sparked the larger horror trend of the 2010s: a narrative based around the paranormal and spiritual, themes of religion and grief and lore-heavy antagonist,” Williams-Richmond said. “Nearly any major horror movie of the last 10 years has taken notes from ‘The Conjuring.’” 

Despite their many differences, all films of the series are based on similar narratives of ordinary individuals who overcome paranormal forces.

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (2025) was set to show in theaters on Sept. 5, with producers Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema strategically selecting this release date to capitalize on the start of the fall horror movie season. But will this new installment become the latest addition to horror fanatics’ holiday watchlists?

The film opens with a flashback to 1964, when Ed and Lorraine were still early in their careers and expecting their only daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson). The couple is investigating a haunted mirror –an antique piece adorned with the faces of three infants– when a demonic force provokes Lorraine’s labor, almost causing the loss of their child. Shaken by the incident, the Warrens abandon the case, leaving the fate of the mirror unresolved.

The bulk of “Last Rites” takes place in 1986. The Warrens are retired, and the film trails the family’s ordinary life, honing in on the couple’s legacy. However, Judy begins experiencing intense visions and moments of clairvoyance, making it evident that something unnatural is unfolding around the Warrens. 

Despite their efforts to stay removed from the paranormal scene, the family is gradually drawn back to the supernatural. This transpires as they are pulled closer to their destined confrontation with the Smurls, a frightened Pennsylvanian family plagued by the demonic presence of a cursed mirror – the same mirror that almost took the life of Judy Warren decades earlier.

Grace Swisher, who recently watched “Last Rites,” commented on her boredom throughout most of the film. 

“It was pretty slow paced,” Swisher stated. “It took a while to reach the major plot points. However, there were definitely some good jump scares throughout, but I’m a particularly jumpy person.”

For the first hour and a half, the movie alternates between the lives of Warrens and the Smurls, but the two storylines are seemingly uneventful and mostly revolve around extended family drama.

The film doesn’t gain momentum until its final 30 minutes, when the Warrens finally come to the aid of the Smurls. At this point, the demons shift their focus to Judy, revealing that the Smurls were merely bait to lure the Warrens near. 

“The last 15 minutes was honestly the best part because somebody actually came close to dying,” said Swisher. “I wasn’t exactly let down because that’s what you expect from the franchise, in the sense that it’s thrilling but also pretty cheesy, so if you’re into that, I’d recommend watching.”

The film concludes with a predictable ending, as the Warrens successfully ward off the demons, saving their family alongside the Smurls. Viewers are left with a familiar message about the enduring power of familial love and confronting one’s inner fears.

Luke Hammond, a film lover, said he is not a fan of the “Conjuring” series. 

“I’ve seen all the ‘Conjuring’ movies, besides the newest one,” Hammond said. “Probably, one reason why I won’t go see the newest film is because I kind of expect it to be the same as every other movie in the series. I spend more time laughing than I do being scared, just because they’re kind of ridiculous.” 

He commented that the predictability and lack of originality in the franchise is one of its many weaknesses.

Hammond also pointed out that many horror films are simply “okay” scary movies but fall short as good films overall. 

“I just think that more horror producers should focus on making good movies, that happen to be scary, rather than trying to make mediocre horror movies,” he said. This would require more attention to the technical aspects of filmmaking such as editing, cinematography and music.

For a tasteful blend of horror and quality filmmaking, Hammond recommends “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme. 

“It feels grounded in a terrifying way,” he commented. “It’s got dialog that draws you in and makes you feel more engaged.”

If “Last Rites” doesn’t quite deliver, there are plenty of popular horror films to watch this horrifying season. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), “Vivarium” (2019), “Barbarian” (2022), “The Shining” (1980), “Alien” (1979) and “Hereditary” (2018) were all recommended by film enthusiasts and can be found on streaming platforms.

Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just looking for a chilling watch this season, these films promise to deliver dread, terror, suspense and indelible narratives that go beyond predictable jump scares.