“The Conjuring: Last Rites” True Story: Inside the Real Demonic Haunting That Inspired the Franchise’s Final Movie

**Is ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ a True Story? Inside the Real-Life Haunting**

*By Emily Blackwood*

The release of ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ has sparked curiosity among horror fans about the true story behind the film. The final instalment in the franchise delves into the haunting of the Smurl family, a chilling tale that haunted them for over a year.

In 1986, the Smurl family claimed they were subjected to violent demonic attacks that terrorised their home in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The alleged demonic presence even sexually assaulted Jack Smurl, prompting the family to seek help.

Renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren stepped in to investigate the haunting and discovered that the Smurl family home was under siege by four malevolent entities. The terrifying events that unfolded during this investigation served as the inspiration for ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’.

The film, set five years after the events of ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’, focuses on the Warrens contemplating retirement as they assist the desperate Pennsylvania couple in battling the malevolent forces threatening their family. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine in what is said to be Wilson’s final portrayal of his character.

Wilson expressed his desire to portray a different facet of the Warrens in this final movie, highlighting their struggles outside of highly publicised cases like Amityville. This shift in focus adds depth to the characters and their dedication to combating evil forces.

The Smurl family’s haunting was a turning point in the Warrens’ career, drawing attention to the real-life horrors they faced as demonologists. The Smurls’ story gained national media coverage, with TV appearances and interviews shedding light on the terrifying experiences they endured.

Jack and Janet Smurl, the unfortunate victims of the haunting, described a series of paranormal encounters that escalated from unexplained phenomena to physical attacks on their family members. The presence of multiple spirits, including an elderly woman, a violent young girl, a deceased man, and a malevolent demon, added to the horror they faced.

The Warrens’ involvement in the case provided some relief to the Smurl family, who eventually sought the help of a pastor to rid their home of the demonic entities. Despite attempts to banish the spirits, reports of lingering paranormal activity persisted, haunting Janet even after the family relocated to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

In the wake of their ordeal, the Smurls penned a book titled ‘The Haunted: One Family’s Nightmare’, recounting their haunting in harrowing detail. Their story was later adapted into a TV movie, further immortalising the horrors they faced within the walls of their home.

The legacy of the Smurl haunting lives on, with the house attracting attention from buyers and tenants alike due to its eerie history. While some tenants reported no paranormal activity, others acknowledged the lingering presence of supernatural forces within the residence.

The Smurl family’s terrifying ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding. The Warrens’ investigation of their haunting sheds light on the enduring battle between good and evil that continues to captivate audiences through the ‘Conjuring’ franchise.

As we delve deeper into the real-life inspirations behind these chilling tales, we are reminded of the thin veil that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary, the known from the unknown. The legacy of the Smurl family haunting and the Warrens’ tireless efforts to combat demonic forces serve as a testament to the enduring fascination with the supernatural.