The Conjuring - Fancy a House Spirit?

When I reviewed the not-so-scary Dark Skies back in April, I mentioned that the two minute trailer for the upcoming The Conjuring was terror personified. Thus, with trepidation and waterproof underwear I entered the cinema this week to see the latest in James Wan's (Insidious) horror cannon. Not one to be jumpy at films of this ilk, simply from the trailer, I knew that this film may be something different. And yikes, was I proved right.

The film chronicles the work of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and their involvement with the Perron family in the early 1970's. Helmed by Ron Livingston (Band of Brothers) and Lili Taylor (Ransom), the Perrons, along with their five daughters, move into an old farmhouse in a secluded part of Rhode Island. Soon, the family starts to realize that all is not right in the house and they are not alone. When the strange happenings in the house start to become more aggressive to the young girls, Carolyn (Taylor) calls upon the help of the Warrens in a hope to drive out whatever is terrorizing her family. Upon the arrival of the Warrens, it soon becomes apparent that there lurks a malevolence that reveals the truly horrifying past of the seemingly idyllic home that the Perrons have moved into. What follows is a truly disturbing effort to drive out the supernatural force that seems intent on causing the utmost damage.

To the cliche hunters amongst you, this must sound like all too familiar territory in the horror ouevre. And so it was to me. Yes, the cliches are still there - the creaking doors, the rocking chair rocking with nobody in it - even a doll with an unsettling smile. Yet what Wan does is include them as a homage to classics of the horror genre. The film is not littered with these cliches - they are only there to build the suspense for when the truly horrifying events unfold. The word homage feels very apt here as what Wan has done has consciously set out to produce a movie that is not a rip off but a tribute to classic horror films of the seventies. From the basic title page (seen above) reminiscent of The Shining, through to its 70's setting and attention to detail from costume, hairstyle and even down to furniture, the film feels unlike the formulaic 'horrors' that are spewed out today. Instead we come away having watched something highly original and truly frightening that can hold its head up high amongst its contemporaries.

The film also boasts an impressive cast. Wan once again teams up with Patrick Wilson (soon to be teamed with again in Insidious: Chapter 2) as one half of the Warrens. Vera Farmiga brings subtlety and poise as his clairvoyant wife Lorraine. Ron Livingston doesn't set the screen alight but does his job as the helpless dad watching the women in his life suffer. Lili Taylor gives the star performance however, as the mother who gradually deteriorates and suffers most at the hands of the evil force. Taylor studied The Exorcist closely which is a big influence on the film - and you can tell. She gives a truly terrifying and physical performance towards the end of the film that makes the movie powerfully visceral.

So, will you be hiding under the duvet with a torch after seeing the film? Simply, yes. I'm not one to be easily scared but I too felt uneasy emerging back into the daylight after the darkness of the auditorium - and even more uneasy when I switched the lights out that night.