"The Conjuring" Engrosses You In a Palpable Sense of Dread

Horror movies, perhaps more than any other genre of film, are an experience. The characters might be paper thin and the events that take place may be (okay probably are) implausible, but that's not why we go to see horror movies. We go to be frightened, to be on the edge of our seat wondering how the film is going to play on our fears and our emotions. It's all atmosphere, mood, timing, and expectations. And The Conjuring is very good at all of this.

The Conjuring is very much a throwback. This is most obvious in its period piece setting which has the film occurring back in the 1970's. This almost feels like a sly acknowledgement of the film's more old school storytelling methods. The film doesn't have too many over-the-top moments or buckets of blood moments. It's more about building a slow sense of dread that makes us worry that something could happen at any moment. In many instances nothing does or the film undercuts our expectations and provides a moment of levity (It's a surprisingly funny movie at times).

This isn't to say that nothing happens. There are a number of expertly shot horror setpieces. A musical box with a mirror that shows demonic spirits when it's done playing. A clairvoyant who witnesses terrible things. A creepy doll that has a mind of its own. The brief glimpses of demons (wonderful designs of make up and special effects) after tense, nerve-wracking sequences.

The type of storytelling appears to be partly due to the film's smaller budget, but it uses this budget to its advantage. The film, especially early on, makes so much of what takes place all about the suggestion of something evil and disturbing. This is combined with the look and feel established by cinematographer John R. Leonetti to make something really evocative and engrossing. 

It's also worth noting the great irony of the film being directed by James Wan. Wan broke into the industry with Saw. Wan had little to do with the bloody and awful followups to that film but the Saw movies have helped create a trend of movies devoid of good storytelling and that are more dishearteningly schlocky than good. Wan's ability has matured since Saw (which I still find to be a good (though not great) film with a great twist ending). His next big film Insidious hinted at the direction Wan was going with his career. That film was more about a simple story, atmosphere and the fright value of that atmosphere and things popping up unexpectedly. The Conjuring is more Insidious than Saw, and better than both.

At times the film is archetypical. An old, creepy house is bought by an unsuspecting family. Demonologists trying to get out of the business come to investigate and it turns out to be their toughest case yet. This is all a good thing though. The film gets explanations out of the way in a brief prologue and then lets the horror really go to work.

I will say little of what takes place because as with the best horror movies, it's best to be anticipating nervously what may come. You will anticipate, you will jump from your seat a little, and you'll dread, with eager delight, what is coming next. What more can we ask of a horror movie?           

Grade: B+