‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ Early Buzz: Another Spooky Outing For The Warrens
The Conjuringhas become a monster franchise since the first James Wan-directed film debuted in 2013. Spawning several spin-off films over the past eight years, the story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren has been limited to mostly the original film and its sequel, which was released in 2016. Now the Warrens are finally back, in the highly anticipatedThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Will their long-awaited return be worth it?
Based on critics' early reactions toThe Conjuring 3, it looks like the answer will be yes. Find out what critics have to say withThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do Itearly buzz below.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do Itfollows the real-life trial of Arne Johnson, the first man in U.S. history to plead demonic possession as a defense. Johnson was one of the Warren’s most high-profile cases, and is given the appropriate treatment withThe Conjuring 3, which will reportedly bethe darkest entry yetin the franchise. But while the film does break from the haunted house tradition to explore real-life horrors on a much grander scale, many critics say thatThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do Itdoesn’t match the first twoConjuringmovies in terms of scares.
Here’s what /Film’s Chris Evangelista has to say:
THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT changes up the established formula a bit, but the series remains what I like to call “spooktacular.” As long as Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga keep making these, I will watch them.#TheConjuring#TheConjuringTheDevilMadeMeDoItpic.twitter.com/bjKRZB7GwD
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413)August 01, 2025
Other critics are mixed to positive onThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, with many praising the starsPatrick WilsonandVera Farmigaas the core reason why the horror franchise continues to work.
#TheConjuring#TheDevilMadeMeDoItis a fantastic next chapter in the franchise! It’s got so much heart and a love story at its core. I got so invested that I forgot to eat dinner while watching the screener. No spoilers, but I slept with the light on.pic.twitter.com/jPZR1GAVfC
— Jenna Busch-Henderson (@JennaBusch)July 08, 2025
Add me to the list of folks who saw (and honestly loved) THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT. The film stalls a bit when Patrick and Vera aren’t on-screen (especially together), but creepy visuals and changing up the linear investigation plot for once make this a fun sequel.pic.twitter.com/to1i98eZDb
— Carly Lane-Perry (@carlylane)July 22, 2025
Was a huge fan of THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, a film that wisely deviates from the haunted house formula for maximum spooky fun.@michaelchavesmaintains the visual hallmarks of Wan’s films while adding plenty. And the 80s setting rules. Also: it’s scary as shit.pic.twitter.com/lhRBDZ4fob
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored)July 13, 2025
I wish I had bigger effusive praise for THE CONJURING THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT as others do. I loved the first two chapters, and admire some of the bigger swings this one takes in remaining true to the universe. It just didn’t crawl under the skin in the ways the others have.
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle)July 12, 2025
THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT is freakishly demonic & bone-chilling in all the right spots, featuring a sensational opening sequence & a waterbed scene that rivals any creepy moment from the franchise so far. Wild that it’s based on a real story, too.#TheConjuringpic.twitter.com/8HxIRkNHtI
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis)August 20, 2025
First reaction to#TheConjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It:
• Less scary than C1 and C2• The antagonist is a franchise-best• Strong visuals and atmosphere throughout• Sets up an interesting new dynamic for the series•@thejohnnoblerules
Full review coming soon on@IGN.pic.twitter.com/NzU5x6PLYj
— Tom Jorgensen (@Tom_Jorgensen)June 03, 2025
There you have it. Critics seem mostly warm toThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, apart from a few issues regarding the scares and the story. We’ll have to see wait untilJune 4, 2021, whenThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do Ithits theaters and HBO Max, to decide for ourselves.
Michael Chavestakes over as director fromJames Wan, who helped create the story and produced the film.David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrickwrote the screenplay forThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, based on characters created byChad Hayes&Carey W. Hayes. ProducerPeter Safranis also on board withRichard Brener,Dave Neustadter,Victoria Palmeri,Michael Clear,Judson Scott, andMichelle Morrisseyexecutive producing.
