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FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Based on the true story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring focuses on the case of the Perron family.
I was really hoping this movie would live up to the hype, but I didn't realistically expect it to. I'm usually not the least bit scared by supernatural horror, and I didn't like James Wan's previous film, Insidious. And, as it turned out… it was the breath of fresh air I was hoping for, but nothing mind-blowing.
The main reason it trumps so many modern horror films is because it doesn't rely on jump scares. It doesn't just shout and scream and yell and try to make you jump every thirty seconds. Instead, it builds up a genuine sense of unease through a string of very believable false climaxes. There are many, many times when you think it's building up to a jump scare… and it doesn't. For example, there's a scene where one of the daughters goes to look under her bed, but then shrinks back again – as anyone would. Beautiful! :)
And whenever there is a jump scare, it's not conveyed through a stupid orchestral sting, but from a loud crash in the next room or something.
All this means the fear comes from the situation itself, not manipulation on the part of the filmmakers. It didn't give me a complete sense of authenticity, but close.
In short, this is one of the best horror movies in several years, but it's more impressive than it is scary.
My rating: 75%
