The Conjuring
Here's what we found in The Conjuring. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to 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.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
While 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
The 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.
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft 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.
Scary & Intense Content
The 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.
Would these 4 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
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.
Good to Know
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.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families