Staci Layne Wilson’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It review says the third entry in the supernatural saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren is worth a peek for horror fans.

Paranormal power couple Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) dive into one of their most sensational assignments when they take the Devil to court.

Based on one of their actual cases and set in 1981, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It shows what led up to Arne Johnson (Ruairi O’Connor) pleading in court that he was possessed by a demon when he murdered his landlord (the victim’s name and connection to Johnson is altered in the film).

Franchise creator/director James Wan’s The Conjuring films (eight in all) are known for their strong, scary opening sequences, and The Devil Made Me Do It is no exception. The Warrens are on hand to document the exorcism of 8-year-old David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard). The presiding priest (Steve Coulter) quickly loses control of the Satanic situation, and the little boy’s body becomes a dangerous weapon as he wills sharp and blunt objects to fly around the room and even causes Ed’s heart to attack. It’s Arne who saves the day and the innocent soul by daring the demon to take possession of him instead.

Arne is the boyfriend of David’s elder sister, Debbie (Sarah Catherine Hook), so the demon is perfectly happy to keep it in the family. Before long, Arne starts to have unsettling visions and experiences sheet-sweating night terrors. This leads to some chilling sequences in the film with decent foreshadowing, but unfortunately, director Michael Chaves does not share Wan’s mastery when it comes to eking out the suspense and spine-tingles.

There’s also a different screenwriter on this one, who resorts to some sappy flashback stuff with Ed and Lorraine and doesn’t show us any of the devilish courtroom drama (The Devil’s Advocate, anyone?).

Ed and Arne are out of commission for much of the action due to their respective physical and mental health issues, which means Lorraine takes centerstage. Farmiga is one of the most interesting and compelling actors working today, so it’s great to see her take command of this scary situation. Her adversary is female as well—The Occultist (Eugenie Bondurant) is one of a few new villains to skulk into the spotlight here.

Overall, The Devil Made Me Do It is a fun, diverting time in the movie theater (or home—it’s debuting simultaneously on HBO Max), especially for fans of supernatural horror.

Rated R
1 hour 52 minutes

If Staci Layne Wilson’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It review made you want to grab your holy water and head for the nearest theater, find out where it’s playing on Fandango.com

Staci Layne Wilson’s  The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It review says the third entry in the supernatural saga of Ed and Lorraine Warren is worth a peek for horror fans.