The success of the Conjuring series has been unprecedented in the horror genre, with James Wan creating his own cinematic horror universe alongside Warner Brothers. Spinoffs like Annabelle, The Nun, and Curse of La Lorna have all been box office hits, but some are starting to view the franchise as diminishing returns (the latter two were trashed by critics). Wan will attempt to right the ship with The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, which could potentially change the franchise formula with a fresh take on the series’ narrative.
While answering Twitter questions, writer David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick discussed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It along with James Wan’s upcoming project Malignant. Here was his response, calling The Conjuring 3 an expansion of the haunted house formula:
I was not extensively involved in “Malignant” — all I can say is that you should see it as soon as you have a chance. C3 is a completely different movie than the first two. The franchise is expanding beyond the “haunted house” formula.
I was not extensively involved in “Malignant” — all I can say is that you should see it as soon as you have a chance.
C3 is a completely different movie than the first two. The franchise is expanding beyond the “haunted house” formula.
— David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (@bravecarrot) March 21, 2020
While there is no official synopsis for the new Conjuring film, it’s been rumored to center around a court case involving a murder who was possessed by a demonic spirit. Personally, I am glad that the series is embracing a fresh approach, as the drawn-out haunted house scares have become cliche. Movies like La Lorna draw more laughter than fear, with the substandard execution and predictable plot points failing to unnerve audiences.
The Conjuring franchise will likely continue to be financially prosperous, but there’s no guarantee how long that will last if entries continue to letdown audiences. I hope that The Devil Made Me Do It is able to get back to the franchise’s top form, with the project hitting theaters September 11, 2020.
Are you excited for The Conjuring 3? Let us know in the comments!