The Conjuring is probably one of the most compelling horror stories I've seen in awhile.

Rating: 10/10 (21 October 2013)

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Review: The Conjuring
As I sit in the theatre with my friend waiting for the movie to start, I see a bunch of teenagers walking in. I then reminisce of the times I've went to go see Horror movies, where i have a bunch of teens either laughing or talking throughout the movie. This would occur in The Conjuring, but it wouldn't be long before it would go dead silent and everybody would get lost in the story.
The movie begins in the early 70′s with Ed & Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators talking to two young ladies and a man about the "Annabelle Case", a case in which a doll is possessed by a young girl who was killed in the home the three are living in. I won't give the rest away. The little you know, the better of an experience it will be.
Next, we meet the Perron family. A happy family with no history of any demon activity until they move into their new home in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The next half hour will build up to the most terrifying story you will ever hear. Again, I don't want to give too much away.
The acting is superb. Lili Collins is great as Carolyn Perron. Her performance reminded me of a young Ellen Burstyn from The Exorcist. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga were also great as Ed & Lorraine Warren. They showed a lot of emotion and you couldn't help but be compelled to their characters.
In the beginning of the movie, Ed Warren states "We've been called ghost hunters. Paranormal researchers. Wackos." in which Lorraine replies, "But we prefer to be known simply as Ed and Lorraine Warren." The two characters were more than just paranormal investigators. They were also parents. Their compassion for this family was the reason why you love the characters. Their willingness to help people and delicacy toward the case was just superb and wasn't played out to be some horror movie cliché. You could help but feel for every character involved.
The film was unlike any horror movie you'll see. It didn't depend on blood and gore or jump scares to startle you. It was just a compelling and terrifying story with some visuals that may haunt your dreams for awhile. It felt like a 70′s horror movie. One that makes you want to sleep with one eye open.
My only issue is the "based on the true story" aspect of the movie. There is a scrolling text at the beginning of the movie revealing the story of the Warrens and before the title card, there's text saying it's based on a true story. To tell a story through film, I believe there should be some sort of real life interviews or proof of the facts of the story. It'll make it feel more real and may have pulled me in more, which at the time, I thought wasn't possible but after thinking about it, I would have given this film a perfect rating if I saw some truth behind the story.
James Wan, director of The Conjuring, has also directed the first Saw film and Insidious, which are two different types of horror films but are still worth the watch. I recommend The Conjuring to anyone who wants a good story and great acting. It is very scary but there's something about it that just pulls you in. It makes you craving more. One thing is for sure, I will be talking about this one for awhile.
Grade: A