Director and screenwriter James Wan achieved prominence with the low-budget horror film Saw, which premiered in 2004. He subsequently directed Insidious in 2010, and experienced further success with the first Conjuring film in 2013. The second Conjuring film followed in 2016, and since then he has directed Aquaman and is currently developing its sequel. Given these commitments, Wan opted to produce Conjuring 3: The Devil made me do It, rather than direct. Directorial duties were instead entrusted to Michael Chaves, who is already familiar with the Conjuring universe, having directed the spin-off film The Curse of La Llorona in 2019. The question is, how does Chaves’s direction compare to Wan’s?
The plot centers on Arne Cheyenne Johnson (Ruairi O´Connor), a young man discovered by police walking along a highway, covered in blood. Johnson claims the Devil compelled him to murder his boss. Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) endeavor to assist Johnson and demonstrate his innocence, soon uncovering a far more complex situation than initially anticipated.
Similar to the first two installments of The Conjuring series, this film is “based on true events.” The case presented in the film purportedly “happened,” and Arne Johnson is interviewed in the supplemental material. This lends The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made me do It a certain gravitas. Ed and Lorraine collaborated on numerous paranormal investigations and exorcisms until Ed’s passing in 2006.
The original film and its sequel shared a common setting within a single house. Fortunately, the third film expands its scope, venturing beyond this confined environment. This decision presents both advantages and disadvantages. While the change of scenery is welcome and prevents monotony, director Chaves struggles to consistently cultivate a truly unsettling atmosphere. Ironically, the film’s most effective moments occur during its opening scenes, still set within the familiar house. A particular sequence involving a bathtub delivers genuine scares, but the film’s momentum unfortunately diminishes afterward.
The Conjuring 3: The Devil made me do It maintains a high level of technical competence, featuring stylish effects and impressive cinematography. However, it lacks the pervasive sense of dread and unease that characterized the first two films. This is disappointing, as the core premise holds considerable potential. Furthermore, the casting of a specific individual who later proves to be a traitor raises questions. Viewers familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy may find the reveal predictable.
The UHD release offers a significant upgrade in visual fidelity. The picture quality is excellent, with a high bitrate, making the most of 4K and HDR capabilities. The contrast between dark and light elements is particularly well-rendered, exhibiting no noticeable bleeding, and colors are vibrant and sharp. The Dolby Atmos sound design is equally noteworthy. The opening moments of the film feature a number of startling audio cues, delivering a truly immersive experience. The soundscape is enveloping, ensuring that your surround speakers are put to good use. A substantial amount of supplementary material is also included, providing insight into the real-life Arne Johnson and highlighting the factual basis of the film.
In conclusion, I recommend The Conjuring 3: The Devil made me do It on UHD. While it may not achieve the same level of sustained horror as its predecessors, it remains a competently executed and entertaining film. Having not seen the spin-off film The Curse of La Llorona, I can say that in comparison to The Nun, The Conjuring 3: The Devil made me do It represents a marked improvement.
