The Conjuring
The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film released in 2013, directed by James Wan. It is the first installment in The Conjuring Universe franchise and is based on the alleged real-life experiences of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film centers on the Perron family, who experience increasingly disturbing supernatural occurrences in their newly acquired farmhouse in Rhode Island, prompting them to seek the help of the Warrens. Targeted at an adult audience, the film is known for its intense scares, psychological terror, and strong religious themes, particularly focusing on demonic possession and exorcism. It is not suitable for children due to its graphic depictions of violence, disturbing imagery, and pervasive frightening content.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighWhile the first 'The Conjuring' film does not explicitly feature LGBTQ+ characters, some analyses interpret the villain Bathsheba as a 'queer-coded' figure, critiquing the film's strong pro-Christian and pro-family narrative as implicitly conservative. Later installments in the franchise, specifically 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' and its comic tie-ins, feature implied and confirmed LGBTQ+ themes related to characters and plot points, including discrimination.
In 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' (the third film), the witch's curse explicitly requires a 'lover' as one of the three victims. It is strongly implied and confirmed in the associated comic, 'The Conjuring: The Lover #3,' that Jessica, one of the victims, was in a lesbian relationship with Katie, and that Jessica was the 'lover' referred to in the curse. The Occultist, the antagonist, uses voices to taunt Jessica about being gay, exploiting her fears and insecurities related to her sexuality to facilitate her possession and actions, including stabbing Katie. Furthermore, academic and fan discussions describe the demon Bathsheba in the original 'The Conjuring' as a 'monstrous queer/abject female' figure, reflecting conservative anxieties and using an 'unfeminine' portrayal that some interpret as overtly transphobic, indicating a perceived 'queer-coded' villainy that is contrasted with the film's 'baptized, straight, white American family' ideal.
Violence
HighThe Conjuring features frequent and intense supernatural violence, including physical assaults, self-harm under demonic influence, and implied brutal acts, though often with minimal graphic gore. The violence is primarily psychological and supernatural in nature, creating a sense of dread and terror.
Carolyn Perron is violently thrown around her home, frequently exhibiting severe bruises and self-inflicted wounds while possessed by the demon. In a particularly disturbing scene, Carolyn attempts to harm her children, specifically trying to stab her daughter April with scissors, demonstrating the demon's violent control. Ed Warren also sustains injuries during confrontations with the demonic entity, such as being thrown and attacked. The film's MPAA rating explicitly mentions 'sequences of terror and violence.'
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central and pervasive to 'The Conjuring,' forming the core of its horror narrative. The film explicitly depicts demonic possession, curses, and the practice of dark rituals, with significant emphasis on the malevolent influence of a witch and her demonic entity.
The antagonist is revealed to be the spirit of Bathsheba Sherman, a witch who cursed her land and all who would live on it, leading to the demonic possession of Carolyn Perron. The film culminates in a harrowing exorcism attempt by Ed and Lorraine Warren, involving Catholic rituals, prayers, and crucifixes to combat the powerful demon possessing Carolyn. The history of the house reveals that Bathsheba sacrificed her newborn child to Satan before taking her own life, establishing a demonic pact and a lineage of evil that drives the haunting.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe Conjuring is characterized by extremely high levels of scary and intense content, including numerous jump scares, prolonged sequences of psychological horror, and disturbing imagery designed to evoke fear and dread. The film relies heavily on atmospheric tension, unsettling visuals, and sudden, loud shocks.
The film features multiple intense jump scares, such as a child's closet door opening to reveal a clapping ghost or a figure suddenly appearing from behind a sheet during the 'hide and clap' game. Lorraine Warren experiences terrifying visions and encounters with demonic entities, including being pulled by an unseen force and seeing disturbing apparitions of the witch and possessed individuals. The constant psychological torment inflicted upon the Perron family, such as objects moving violently, disturbing noises, and children being dragged from their beds, contributes to a pervasive sense of fear.
Profanity
MediumThe Conjuring contains infrequent use of strong language. While not pervasive, some expletives are present in moments of stress or fear.
Characters use mild to moderate profanity, such as 'damn' and 'hell,' particularly when reacting to frightening or stressful paranormal events. For example, during moments of extreme terror, characters may exclaim curse words. In a direct quote from a review analyzing Bathsheba's defiance during the exorcism climax, it is noted that she "essentially tells them to go fuck themselves," highlighting the use of strong language within the context of demonic possession.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe Conjuring is overtly pro-Christian and uses Christian faith as the primary means to combat demonic forces. While some critics view its strong religious messaging as 'reactionary politics,' the film itself portrays faith, prayer, and Catholic rituals as essential and effective tools against evil.
The film explicitly states, through Ed Warren, that 'The devil exists. God exists. And for us as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow,' presenting a clear theological battle between good and evil. The climax involves a Catholic exorcism performed by Ed Warren, with prayers and religious artifacts being crucial to fighting the demon. However, some Christian perspectives raise concerns about Lorraine Warren's clairvoyant abilities, which are presented as a tool against evil but can be seen as contrary to biblical teachings against spiritualism.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe film contains very little explicit romance or sexual content. The relationship between Ed and Lorraine Warren is portrayed as a loving and supportive partnership, central to the narrative, but without any graphic or overt sexual scenes. There is no nudity beyond a brief, non-graphic depiction of a newborn baby in a later franchise installment.
Ed and Lorraine Warren share tender moments, such as slow dancing in their living room to 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' which underscores their bond and is a recurring motif in the franchise. They are shown to have a strong, affectionate, and supportive marriage, frequently reaching for each other and demonstrating their devotion without any explicit sexual activity. While 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' (a later film in the universe) mentions a newborn baby seen naked, this is described as non-graphic.
Substance Use
LowThe film includes minor and infrequent depictions of alcohol consumption, primarily in social settings and not as a central plot element or glamorized activity. There is no depiction of illegal drug use.
Characters are seen drinking wine in various scenes, but this is incidental and does not lead to intoxication or form a significant part of the narrative. A review of 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' (a sequel) mentions brief smoking in one scene, but explicitly states 'no drugs.'
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowThe film does not prominently feature themes of disrespect or rebellion among its main characters, particularly within the Perron or Warren families, who are portrayed as cohesive units. Any defiance typically stems from the demonic entity's influence rather than character-driven disrespect.
The Perron children are generally obedient and fearful of the paranormal events, rather than rebellious towards their parents. The Warrens operate with respect for both the affected families and the Church, despite sometimes facing skepticism. The demon Bathsheba's defiance during the exorcism, where it 'essentially tells them to go fuck themselves,' is an act of demonic evil rather than human disrespect.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
17+ due to pervasive sequences of intense terror, supernatural violence, disturbing imagery, and mature thematic elements including demonic possession. The MPAA rating of R confirms its unsuitability for younger audiences. Younger viewers could find the constant jump scares and psychological torment deeply unsettling and potentially traumatizing.
Additional Notes
The Conjuring is the foundational film of a larger cinematic universe, and while this analysis primarily focuses on the first movie, elements from sequels (like 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It') were referenced to provide a comprehensive view of how certain concerns, particularly LGBTQ+ representation, evolve within the franchise and its expanded media (e.g., comic tie-ins). There are no known significant differences between theatrical, extended, or director's cuts that dramatically alter the parental guidance for the first film.
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