The Conjuring: Last Rites - Trailer promises some terrifying 'Smurl Haunting' experience

The eagerly awaited new trailer for The Conjuring: Last Rites has finally dropped, confirming that the film will delve into the chilling real-life case known as the Smurl Haunting. This disturbing series of alleged paranormal events plagued the home of Jack and Janet Smurl in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, for a harrowing fifteen-year period, and the upcoming movie is expected to center around the Warrens' involvement in 1986.The Disturbing Claims of the Smurl FamilyBetween 1974 and 1989, the Smurl family recounted a terrifying ordeal of demonic infestation within their residence. Their claims included a barrage of unsettling phenomena, from inexplicable loud noises and foul, pervasive odors to instances of violent physical attacks. The family reported their dog being violently thrown against a wall, their mattresses shaking uncontrollably, and one of their daughters allegedly being pushed down a flight of stairs. Some members of the Smurl family even claimed to have been subjected to physical and sexual harm by the malevolent entity. The Warrens Enter the InvestigationIn 1986, the renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called in to investigate the Smurl's claims. Ed Warren described the entity as a powerful demonic force, noting the presence of chilling cold spots and a menacing dark shadow within the house. He also recounted a chilling message that purportedly appeared on a mirror, demanding that he leave the premises. In their attempts to exorcise the demon, the Warrens employed religious music and prayer. Ed Warren further claimed to have captured audio recordings of the demon manifesting as knocks on the walls. Their investigation into the Smurl Haunting spanned several months, adding another dark chapter to their extensive case files. Public Scrutiny and Differing ExplanationsThe Smurl Haunting garnered significant media attention, drawing various individuals to the case, including not only the Warrens but also clergy members, psychologists, and skeptical investigators. Each group offered differing perspectives on the events, with some suggesting natural or psychological explanations for the family's experiences. The lack of definitive physical evidence led many to question the validity of the supernatural claims. From Haunted House to Book and ScreenIntriguingly, the same year that the Warrens initiated their investigation, the Smurl's alleged experiences were chronicled in a book titled The Haunted. This book further amplified the family's claims and the details surrounding the haunting. In 1991, the story was adapted into a made-for-television movie bearing the same title, The Haunted, bringing the Smurl's terrifying narrative to a wider audience.The Conjuring Universe Takes on the Last RitesThe upcoming film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, will likely narrow its focus to the intense 1986 investigation led by Ed and Lorraine Warren, rather than attempting to cover the entire fifteen-year span of the alleged haunting. The newly released trailer strongly suggests a dark and unsettling tone, hinting at the terrifying events that unfolded within the Smurl household. Fans of the Conjuring universe can anticipate the chilling exploration of this infamous case when The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives in cinemas on September 5, 2025.