7 Terrifying Facts About The Conjuring: Last Rites True Story (The Smurl Haunting)
The highly anticipated final chapter in the core *Conjuring* franchise, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, is set to be one of the most talked-about horror films of the year, bringing Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga back for one last, terrifying case. As of December 18, 2025, the buzz is centered on the film’s chilling source material: the infamous Smurl Haunting, a case so extreme and controversial it allegedly tested the limits of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren like never before. This article dives deep into the true events that inspired the movie, revealing the shocking claims of demonic infestation and the real-life family at the center of the terror.
The film, slated for a September 2025 release, promises to be a "full circle moment" for the franchise, focusing on the Smurl family's decade-long battle with an alleged demonic entity in their West Pittston, Pennsylvania, home. Moving beyond simple poltergeist activity, the Smurl Haunting involves claims of physical and sexual assault, making it one of the darkest and most sensationalized cases the Warrens ever publicly investigated. Prepare to uncover the unsettling truth behind what promises to be the most intense entry in *The Conjuring Universe*.
The Conjuring: Last Rites Production & The Warrens' Final Case
The upcoming film, officially titled *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, marks the ninth installment in the interconnected *Conjuring* film series and is confirmed to be the concluding chapter of the main storyline centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren. The production team has assembled a strong roster to bring this final, dark story to the screen.
Key Production & Biographical Details
- Film Title: The Conjuring: Last Rites (Also known as The Conjuring 4)
- US Release Date: September 5, 2025
- Director: Michael Chaves (returning after directing *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* and *The Curse of La Llorona*)
- Writers: Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing
- Producers: James Wan and Peter Safran (the architects of The Conjuring Universe)
- Starring: Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
Director Michael Chaves has suggested the film will be a "full circle moment" for the franchise, indicating a return to the foundational terror elements that made the original films so successful. The choice of the Smurl Haunting, a case known for its extreme claims and public scrutiny, ensures the Warrens' final on-screen investigation is arguably their most controversial and frightening.
Fact 1: The Smurl Haunting—A Decade-Long Demonic Infestation
Unlike some of the Warrens’ other cases, which were confined to a few months, the alleged Smurl Haunting was a prolonged period of terror, supposedly spanning over a decade. The ordeal began in August 1973 when Jack and Janet Smurl and their family moved into a double-block home at 330 Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, after their previous residence was damaged by Hurricane Agnes.
Initially, the phenomena were subtle: strange scratching sounds, foul odors, and objects moving. However, the activity quickly escalated, targeting the family directly. The Smurls claimed they were terrorized by four distinct entities, one of which was a powerful, malevolent demon. The sheer duration of the events, from the mid-1970s until the Warrens’ involvement in the mid-1980s, is what sets the Smurl case apart as a true test of endurance for the family and a dramatic high-point for the film's narrative.
Fact 2: The Shocking Claim of Sexual Assault by a Succubus
One of the most disturbing and sensational claims of the Smurl Haunting—and one that will undoubtedly be a central element of *The Conjuring: Last Rites*—is the allegation of sexual assault by a demonic entity. Jack Smurl claimed he was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions by a female demon, known in demonology as a succubus.
This is a significant departure from the typical poltergeist and possession cases seen in previous *Conjuring* films, which often focus on physical violence and psychological terror. The inclusion of sexual assault claims pushes the narrative into much darker, more sensitive territory, emphasizing the extreme nature of the malevolent force the Warrens were called upon to confront. The family also reported being physically thrown and levitated, and hearing disembodied voices, but the succubus attacks became the most publicized and controversial aspect of the story.
Fact 3: The Warrens’ Involvement and the Infamous Tape Recording
The Smurl family first contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren in 1985 after years of escalating terror and failed attempts to seek help from local religious authorities. The Warrens visited the home in West Pittston and quickly declared the activity to be a demonic infestation.
A key piece of evidence that the Warrens claimed to have captured was an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) recording. Lorraine Warren stated that during one of her investigations, a voice was captured on tape that allegedly said: "You are going to die." This recording, along with other alleged paranormal activity witnessed by the Warrens, solidified their belief that the Smurl home was plagued by a powerful, non-human entity. Their involvement brought the case into the national spotlight, leading to extensive media coverage and public debate over the validity of the claims.
Fact 4: The Public and Media Frenzy That Defined the Case
The Smurl Haunting was not a quiet, contained case; it became a media sensation that dominated headlines in the mid-1980s. The family went public with their story, appearing on talk shows and news programs, which led to a massive public and religious outcry. This media scrutiny is a critical element of the "true story" that *Last Rites* must address, as it mirrors the public backlash the Warrens themselves often faced.
The media attention had a profound impact on the Smurl family’s life. They were criticized, ridiculed, and often ostracized by their community. The pressure eventually led them to move multiple times in an attempt to escape the demonic entity, which they claimed followed them. This constant pursuit and the public’s divided reaction—pitting believers against skeptics—provides a high-stakes, dramatic backdrop for the cinematic conclusion of the Warrens’ story.
Fact 5: The Controversy and Skepticism Surrounding the Smurl Claims
As with many of the Warrens’ investigations, the Smurl Haunting was met with intense skepticism. Critics and mental health professionals suggested the phenomena could be explained by psychological factors, such as mass hysteria or suggestibility, particularly given the family's stress following the loss of their home in the hurricane.
Furthermore, local priests and other paranormal investigators who visited the home did not always corroborate the Smurls' most extreme claims. This element of doubt and the challenge of proving a demonic entity in a court of public opinion is a theme that has run throughout the *Conjuring* franchise and is expected to be a major narrative driver in *Last Rites*. The film will likely explore the emotional toll this public disbelief took on Ed and Lorraine Warren as they fought to validate the Smurls' terrifying experiences.
Fact 6: The Previous Adaptation and The Legacy of the Smurl Story
The Smurl Haunting is not entirely new to the screen. The case was previously adapted into a 1991 made-for-TV movie titled *The Haunted*, starring Sally Kirkland and Jeffrey DeMunn. This earlier adaptation focused heavily on the family’s struggle and the involvement of the Catholic Church.
The fact that the story has been told before raises the stakes for *The Conjuring: Last Rites*. The new film, with the established lore and terrifying visual language of *The Conjuring Universe*, is expected to offer a much darker, more visceral, and definitive cinematic version of the Smurl family’s ordeal. Fans anticipate a deep dive into the four alleged entities, the demonic hierarchy, and the final, desperate measures taken by the Warrens to bring peace to the West Pittston home, concluding their iconic cinematic journey.
Fact 7: The Final Rites of the Warrens' Cinematic Journey
The title *Last Rites* strongly suggests the film will deal with themes of finality, exorcism, and the culmination of Ed and Lorraine Warren's life work. In the Catholic tradition, "Last Rites" refers to the final prayers and ministrations given to a person before death, often including the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. This title is a powerful signal that the film will be the most personal and potentially final spiritual battle for the investigators.
Given that the film is confirmed as the end of the main series, it is expected to provide closure to the characters of Ed and Lorraine Warren, perhaps even addressing the real-life passing of Ed Warren in 2006 and Lorraine Warren in 2019. The Smurl Haunting, with its extreme and public nature, provides the perfect, high-stakes platform for the Warrens to confront their greatest fears and leave a lasting legacy as the world's most famous paranormal investigators.
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