Finally. I’ve got around to watching this movie on the most cinematic day, full of dark skies, wind and rain. It was an atmospheric experience. The same way it would have been in 4DX. I loved the character developments and the opening. We started with seeing a young version of Ed & Lorraine which makes me think the series which is supposedly happening might be with them. That would be good but sad, I love Vera & Patrick. I mean, you never know, it could be flashbacks through story telling. The young versions did a great job at portraying the characters. 10/10 for casting.

We get introduced to grown up Judy, there’s been too many Judy’s which is the let down. The continuity is very messy. I wish they’d have stuck to likeness or at least some resemblance of the first one. Given that the movies are in different timelines, it’s disappointing that they couldn’t pull this off. However, I love older Judy, she’s great. You’re drawn to her and her story. I’m not sure if it is real or not. A member of the Warren family, in real life broke it down and said it’s not true. He didn’t go into full detail. It’s interesting for sure. Clairvoyance is a gift that is inherited but not necessarily to next of kin. It skipped 3 generations in my family and landed in my lap.

Judy starts getting more visions as she grows older, she’s haunted by Annabelle mostly but turns out the demon in the mirror is behind it all, using conduits to get into her head. The mirror itself is the creepiest thing, who actually sees that and thinks “I’m gifting that.” Nobody in their right mind. It had baby heads carved in. Why would you want that in your room?

Tony is a great character who is introduced, he is the partner of Judy. His development is quite good for this being the 4th in franchise. I would want to see him again if possible. He’s definitely intrigued by the spiritual world. It would be an interesting legacy hand me down. A way to carry things on. He does now have the keys for the museum. Was that a nod to the future?

I like the characters in this movie but I wouldn’t say they were as developed as in previous. Maybe that’s because there’s too many to deal with? I genuinely didn’t catch all their names. The story is less about them and more about the demons. I didn’t even really catch the demon’s name, that’s if we know it in the first place. They did talk about the ghosts but I didn’t even catch their names too. I swear I was paying attention too.

The jump scares did get me. They always do. The demons faces are horrible. Something you don’t want to look at. Way to do SFX department.

Father Gordon, he broke my heart in this movie. It was so sad. He deserved better. It makes me wonder if it is true? Was he a real person? It’s hard to know when lots gets fictionalised.

I did enjoy the movie though. It makes me want to binge the whole franchise in one go. I stand firmly that Ed & Lorraine Warren are the true stars and without them it would crumble. Plus, Vera and Patrick are super likeable. They have chemistry as actors. Performances all around were great. I do think however, the story could have been written better in places.