The Conjuring (2013): James Wan’s Brilliant Filmmaking Can’t Save Ed and Lorraine Warren’s Lies

James Wan’s The Conjuring is a masterclass in horror filmmaking, but its veneration of real-life con artists Ed and Lorraine Warren — and its demonization of innocent historical figures — makes the film morally troubling.The Conjuring: A Horror Hit Built on a Foundation of Fiction

Directed by: James Wan

Written by: Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston

Release Date: July 19, 2013

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Ed and Lorraine Warren rose to prominence in the 1970s by exploiting the infamous Amityville murders. The Lutz family, hoping to profit from tragedy, claimed their home was haunted by Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s ghost. The Warrens eagerly amplified this narrative, writing books and making media appearances to cement their reputation as paranormal experts.

Frankly, I find this reprehensible. But Hollywood — an industry built by hucksters and mythmakers — embraced the Warrens’ brand of sensationalism. After fading from public consciousness, their story was resurrected in 2013 when director James Wan transformed their tales into cinematic legend. With The Conjuring, Wan didn’t just revive their names — he made them heroic.

Turning Con Artists Into Superheroes

In The Conjuring, Ed and Lorraine are no longer dubious storytellers. They’re depicted as empathetic warriors for God, armed with faith, psychic visions, and the ability to banish demons. The Perron family haunting, which the Warrens investigated in the early 1970s, is reimagined as a battle of good versus evil.

The truth, however, is far less dramatic. Historical accounts suggest the Warrens’ séance at the Perron house failed, and the family ultimately learned to coexist with the spirits until leaving the property in 1980. The Perrons’ story was far more Beetlejuice than blockbuster exorcism. But truth rarely sells tickets, so Hollywood crafted a supernatural superhero origin story instead.

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Bathsheba Sherman: A Maligned Historical Figure

The film’s villain, Bathsheba Sherman, was a real person. Rumors of witchcraft surrounded her, but there’s no evidence she murdered a child or practiced Satanism. She was persecuted in life and vilified in death, her name now immortalized as a cinematic monster. The Warrens’ tales — and Wan’s film — ensured Bathsheba’s reputation would be defined by lies.

James Wan’s Talent Almost Makes You Forget the Exploitation

Here’s the rub: James Wan is a genius. His craftsmanship in The Conjuring is undeniable — meticulous scares, eerie atmosphere, and perfect pacing. He elevates the material so well that I almost forgot my moral objections. Almost.

Because for all its artistry, The Conjuring sanitizes and glorifies real people who profited from tragedy. It’s a horror masterpiece that also functions as a PR campaign for two of the most infamous paranormal con artists in history.

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Final Thoughts: A Brilliantly Made, Deeply Troubling Film

I can admire The Conjuring as a technical triumph while rejecting its foundation. It’s a fascinating paradox: a horror film that’s both brilliantly crafted and morally bankrupt. James Wan created a modern classic, but one that rewrites history at the expense of truth and decency.

Welcome to The Conjuring Week at Reelscope, where we’re revisiting James Wan’s groundbreaking horror franchise and exploring the true stories — and troubling myths — behind its terrifying tales. All of this leads up to my review of The Conjuring Last Rites on Friday.

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The Conjuring review, James Wan, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Bathsheba Sherman, haunted house movies, paranormal horror, horror film criticism, 2010s horror, Reelscope, film reviews