Podcast Summary: ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Scared the Hell Out of Us and Warmed Our Hearts (Simultaneously)

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Production: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts/Speakers: Amy Robach (“Robes”) & T.J. Holmes
Topic: Immediate reactions and review of "The Conjuring: Last Rites," the final film in the Conjuring franchise

Episode Overview

This special late-night episode features Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes sharing their immediate, impassioned reactions to "The Conjuring: Last Rites," which they attended on its opening night. Claiming it may be the best and most heartfelt in the franchise, the hosts break down why the film works as both a scare-fest and an emotional send-off. They also respond to critical reviews that found the film overly sentimental, defending its choices and urging Conjuring and horror fans alike to experience it for themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Excitement and Immediate Reaction

• Lifelong Fans: Both Robach and Holmes express a longstanding devotion to the Conjuring universe, emphasizing their excitement at seeing the supposed final chapter on opening night ([02:49-03:45]).
• Defying Fatigue: Despite exhaustion from travel and a lack of sleep, “I am wide awake after having seen that delicious movie” (Robach, [03:20]).
• High Praise: “I want to purchase it as soon as I can and watch it many, many, many, many more times” (Robach, [04:14]).

2. Why ‘Last Rites’ Stands Out

• Best in the Franchise? Holmes tentatively places it at the top, surpassing even the original for sheer enjoyment ([04:21]).
• Emotional Resonance: The film stands out for its heart and emotional investment, particularly because the Warrens’ own family is at the center of the haunting ([05:58], [06:58]).
• Chemistry of the Leads: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s performances as Ed and Lorraine Warren receive special attention; their connection is described as “palpable” and “movie magic” ([05:58]).

3. What Makes This a Conjuring Film

• Balance of Scares and Heart: Unlike typical slasher films, the movies are lauded for their lack of gratuitous violence in favor of family storylines and "safe fear"—the thrill of terror experienced in secure surroundings ([07:48]-[10:27]).
  • “I had a joyful experience... it may sound silly being in a horror movie, but I had a joyful experience” (Robach, [09:17]).
• Mastery of Suspense: The film excels at generating dread even without jump scares, making two hours and fifteen minutes fly by ([10:48]-[11:40]).
• Creative Frights: Special mention is made of the film's “creepy child toys” and, notably, the “scariest mirror you’re ever gonna see in your life,” which becomes a major supernatural conduit ([12:21]-[12:39]).

4. Connection to True Stories

• Inspired By Real Events: The movie is based on the notorious Smurl family haunting in Pennsylvania, one of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s case files. Details from the actual claims are included, but the filmmakers “went to town” with theatrical embellishments ([13:19]-[15:29]).
  • “They took some of the stories, some of the accounts, but then they went to town on a lot of other things. Of course they did.” (Robach, [15:20]).

5. Responding to the Critics

• Reading Reviews: Robach and Holmes were surprised and disappointed by several critical reviews describing the film as “sappy,” slow, or lacking effective scares ([07:48]-[08:21], [27:53]-[28:59]).
  • “Did they watch the same movie that we just watched?” (Robach, [07:48]).
• Defending Sentiment: The hosts argue the emotional beats enhance rather than detract from the franchise, giving the final entry its necessary “send-off” feel ([15:43]-[17:43]).
  • “I was there for it all... I actually looked at it as an investment into the emotional story behind the haunting.” (Robach, [15:43])
• Not Just for Horror Buffs: While aimed at horror fans, they assert the film’s lack of overwhelming gore and focus on family makes it accessible for general audiences and horror skeptics ([31:31]-[32:23]).

6. Franchise Legacy & Personal Connection

• Emotional Attachments: The franchise coincides with significant moments in their own lives, adding depth to their investment (Robach’s story of watching the first Conjuring after surgery, [26:07]).
• Theatrical Success: Box office numbers for "Last Rites" suggest another financial high for the genre, with projections of more than $40–80 million globally on opening weekend ([25:06]-[27:15]).
• Final Send-Off: The episode closes with appreciation for the filmmakers and a nod to longtime franchise fans, especially noting the sweet way the film wraps up, with familiar faces and an emotionally satisfying ending ([32:48]-[33:13]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On their physical reaction:
  “I felt my body was tense the entire time and I felt like I was watching a Fourth of July fireworks finale for 2 hours and 15 minutes.” – Robach ([04:40])

• On critics:
  "Did they watch the same movie that we just watched?... There’s just this euphoria that I get when there is a good horror movie... I had a joyful experience." – Robach ([07:48], [09:17])

• On suspense and safe fear:
  “It’s fear. You feel the fear and the rush of fear and the thrill of it even. But you’re completely safe.” – Robach ([10:27])

• On the central haunted object:
  “This movie also included the scariest mirror you’re ever gonna see in your life... this mirror got physically involved.” – Holmes ([12:21], [13:13])

• On heart in horror:
  “This is probably the one, right, Robes? It has the most heart with horror in the franchise for me.” – Holmes ([05:58])

• On emotional resonance:
  “I was almost in tears and it’s hard to do that in a horror movie. But there was something beautiful about how they wrapped this movie up.” – Holmes ([17:50])

• Final franchise feeling:
  “I felt more in love with you at the end of the movie than I did when we walked into the theater.” – Robach ([18:43])

Important Timestamps

• [02:49] — Late night, positive energy as they open the review
• [04:14 - 04:40] — Initial glowing impressions, physical/visceral responses
• [05:58 - 06:58] — Discussion of the film's emotional “heart” and central family storyline
• [10:07 - 10:27] — "Safe thrill" phenomenon, watching horror together
• [12:21 - 13:19] — The “scariest mirror” and creative supernatural scares
• [13:19 - 14:40] — Real life inspiration: The Smurl family haunting
• [15:43 - 17:43] — Defense of emotional “sappiness,” the value of downbeats
• [25:06 - 27:15] — Franchise box office legacy, financial performance, and personal stakes
• [27:53 - 29:18] — Confronting negative reviews and critics
• [32:48 - 33:13] — Final notes on the film’s send-off, fan service, and emotional closure

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Warm, enthusiastically biased, and personal. Robach and Holmes are clear about their status as fans and the subjectivity of their reactions.
• Emphasis on “safe” horror: The film is recommended even to those who shy away from gore, due to its balance of suspense, emotional connection, and scare-factor.
• Defiant of critics: The hosts wholly reject the notion that the film is “too sappy” or lacks scares, contending that its blend of terror and heart makes it unique and memorable.
• A love letter to genre and fans: As franchise enthusiasts, they consider "Last Rites" an ideal finale and encourage listeners to see it, both to support the filmmakers and to share in the joy (and fear) the series has provided for over a decade.

In Summary:
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes present an energized, heartfelt, and spoiler-free gush over "The Conjuring: Last Rites," finding it a near-perfect mix of scares and sentiment. They guide listeners through the experience of the film, why it resonated so deeply with them, and why, despite critical skepticism, it should not be missed by fans or newcomers. The episode serves as both a critical defense and love letter to one of horror’s most successful franchises.