The Conjuring Universe and the Controversy of the Warrens

After wrapping up the Final Destination series, I was considering what to talk about next. Thankfully, the Gods of horror had me covered. As I was sitting, relaxing, at Final Destination Bloodlines for the 2nd time, a preview for the next Conjuring movie, The Conjuring: Last Rites played. Horror fans know that horror is a broad genre and we all have our favorite sub-genres. For me that has always been the paranormal ones. I think it all started when I watched The Exorcist around 12 and slept with the lights on for 3 weeks.

Now, you may think, as many people I’ve met do, that my love of paranormal media makes me a deep believer in ghosts and hauntings. But actually, I’m a natural skeptic. I usually roll my eyes a little when a movie or book whips out the ‘based on a true story’ line. You’re not getting me with that nonsense. While I love the Conjuring movies, they are one of the worst offenders of the fake, real horror disclaimer.

And they also say every single new movie is the most terrifying, death-inducing case the Warren’s ever had! Can’t be. Pick one.

Turns out they actually have a few famous debunked cases…allegedly. This is the problem with these things. You can’t prove ghosts aren’t real. Because you can’t prove a negative. There is certainly a lack of evidence they happened and people willing to say they faked it.

None of this is to say I won’t have a freaking good time at the movies. It’s the suspension if disbelief that makes it fun.

Let’s look at a few of these cases.

Amityville

This was one of my favorite horror movies as a child. The modern-day remake is a crime. Violating the dogs are always safe in horror movies rule is a massive issue.

It’s touted as the true story of the Lutz family. They move into a home where the Defeo murders happened. Ronald DeFeo killed his entire family in the home. He then tried to claim not guilty by reason of insanity by saying he was possessed at the time of the murders. The jury didn’t fall for it and it was off to jail for Donny. So far, this is all accurate.

Then the Lutz family moved into the home. They claimed to experience strange events. Things like cold spots, seeing demonic pigs, and levitating furniture.  You know. The usual moving issues. Eventually, they couldn’t take the stress of living in a home infested with demons, so they booked it.

This story was allegedly concocted over drinks between the Lutz’s and DeFeo’s lawyer, Weber. He would eventually use this as his failed defense of his client. Weber has come forward with his story about the fabrication. The Lutz’s have stuck to their story.

Read all about it

The Demonologist

If you think ghosts are only responsible for hauntings, think again. This New York Times Best Seller reveals the grave religious process behind supernatural events and how it can happen to you. Used as a text in seminaries and classrooms, this is one book you can't put down. For over five decades Ed and Loraine Warren have been considered America's foremost experts on demonology and exorcism. With thousands of investigations to their credit, they reveal what actually breaks the peace in haunted houses. Chapters include Annabelle and The Enfield Poltergeist. Don't miss the the Warrens in the hit film 'The Conjuring' and the upcoming film 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' in theaters June, 2021.

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Enfield Poltergiest

The Enfield haunting is at the center of The Conjuring 2. It follows the Hodgson family and the poltergeist that tormented their young daughters. The events were investigated by paranormal groups and became a bit of a media sensation in England. The family claimed to hear strange noises, see heavy furniture move around on its own, and hear disembodied voices. There is a photo the claims to of be of Janet levitating.

In the end many concluded that there was no such paranormal activity. The girls themselves have admitting to faking some of the occurences that were witnessed throughout the haunting but not all of them. The photo of Janet to me is one of the worst things they could have put forward as evidence. It really looks like she’s just jumping. My kids have gotten more air than that.

Whatever you believe, they sure make for some scary cinema. I tend to believe that’s the point.

What do you guys think? Do these movies show the world’s most unlucky home/doll owners? Or is it all here to sell us a story?