Pleasantly surprised

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2015)

The Conjuring, a 2013 horror film directed by James Wan was based on the true events recorded by Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970's. The story sees a family experience supernatural occurrences shortly after they move into a new farmhouse. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson put forth a fantastic performance playing the Warrens alongside Lilli Taylor and Ron Livingston who played Carolyn and Rodger Perron.
Usually I have no real interest in watching films that are based on 'true events' as most seem to be overly dramatic and obviously fake. However, The Conjuring is by far my favorite horror film of 2013, the storyline was far-fetched (a witched who cursed the land possess the mother to kill the child) but at the same time was made to be very believable, I think this is partly because of all the marketing that the film put forth before release, these included 3 trailers and a featurette, which included the real family that the case studies where based on and an interview with Lorraine Warren. Most films that happen to be based on true events always turn out to be a hoax, Paranormal Activity for example claimed to be based on actual experiences when it was first brought out but then carried on to make numerous films and killed the original buzz of it being 'real'. Although, The Conjuring sequel that is being talked about may actually, like Paranormal Activity, ruin the 'buzz' if the storyline carried out to much.
There was a big focus on the Annabelle doll that featured in a few of the trailers and the opening scene of the movie. I must criticize the movie on this note because I think that this was really irrelevant, I know that there is talk for a spin off film based around the Annabelle doll but again I think this how no real relevance to the film itself. All in all I think the film is definitely worth a watch if you're a thrill seeker and love a good horror film! Thumbs up to James Wan on this film!