THE CONJURING: LAST RITES, Smurl Haunting True Story, ANNABELLE is Real!

Before and after seeing The Conjuring: Last Rites, Adam explores the real Smurl Haunting, revisits his personal Warren family connection, and breaks down what the movie got right – and what it invented.

Part One: The Real Story
Before seeing the movie, Adam discusses:

  • The real Smurl Haunting: What Jack and Janet Smurl claimed they experienced in 1970s Pennsylvania.

  • Why the Warrens may never have walked away from a case – and what that says about their credibility.

Part Two: The Movie Reaction
After watching the film, Adam offers a spoiler-lite reaction and compares fact vs. fiction:

  • Which scenes were adapted from the Smurl claims.

  • How The Conjuring timeline ignores real-world chronology.

  • How the film shifts the focus to Judy Warren and her boyfriend Tony – who, yes, is a real person.

  • What the movie omits: the shadowy entities and other key details from the Smurl case.

Also in this episode:

This episode blends folklore, true crime, horror history, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

NEWS FLASH: The Warren museum has been purchased by comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee.

Adam Charles

About the author

Adam Charles has written for Walt Disney Television, Amblin Entertainment, and more. Over the years he has crossed paths with so many media personalities, he’s come to think of himself as the Forrest Gump of the film industry.