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The Conjuring (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Conjuring (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 112 min · English
JustWatch #155 2
Directed by
James Wan
Starring
Ron Livingston, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Lili Taylor
Budget
$20M

A young family in Rhode Island seeks help from paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren when their children begin to exhibit increasingly disturbing behavior in their new home. As the Warrens investigate, they discover a dark and sinister presence tormenting the family, escalating into a terrifying fight for the boy’s soul. The case challenges their expertise and leads them to a pivotal moment in American history, as demonic possession is invoked as a defense in court.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Conjuring
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Conjuring (2013)

Where can you watch The Conjuring? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Conjuring Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Conjuring (2013), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor)

    Carolyn is a devoted mother struggling against the dark forces threatening her family. Her journey from unease to possession and ultimately finding strength highlights her deep love and resilience. Although she initially feels powerless, her character arc demonstrates courage in the face of unimaginable horror.

    • 👩‍👧‍👧 Mother
    • 😨 Fear
    • 💪 Resilience
  • Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson)

    Ed Warren is a passionate paranormal investigator who approaches the haunting with a mix of skepticism and belief. His protective nature towards the Perron family shines through as he confronts the dark entity. Ed's character embodies bravery and determination to safeguard those suffering from supernatural threats.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator
    • 💒 Faith
    • 🦸 Hero
  • Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga)

    Lorraine Warren, a gifted clairvoyant, plays a crucial role in uncovering the truth behind the haunting. Her empathetic connection to spirits positions her as a voice of reason and guidance. Lorraine's character highlights the emotional toll that such encounters take on her, showcasing her dedication to preserving the living against malevolent forces.

    • 🔮 Clairvoyant
    • 💪 Strength
    • ❤️ Empathy
  • Roger Perron (Ron Livingston)

    Roger Perron is the supportive father tasked with protecting his family during their traumatic experiences. His pragmatic approach often buttresses the emotional turmoil within the household. Roger displays a strong sense of responsibility, navigating the challenges brought upon them while seeking help from the Warrens.

    • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Family Man
    • 💔 Struggle
    • 🕵️ Dependable

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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Setting

Where and When Does The Conjuring Take Place?

The setting of The Conjuring (2013): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1971

The early 1970s were marked by a growing interest in psychological horror and supernatural themes in film and literature. It was a period characterized by social upheaval and an increased fascination with paranormal investigations, as people sought to understand and make sense of the unknown. The cultural climate of the time set the stage for stories of haunting and the occult to resonate with audiences.

Location

Harrisville, Rhode Island

Harrisville, Rhode Island, is a small town known for its quiet, rural charm and historic significance. The old farmhouse inhabited by the Perron family is not just a residence but a focal point of dark supernatural occurrences. It is a site of legends and chilling tales, drawing attention from those fascinated by the paranormal.

  • 🏡 House
  • 🕯️ Haunted
  • 👻 Paranormal

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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3 major themes

The Conjuring Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Conjuring (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Possession

    The theme of possession is central to the film, manifesting in Carolyn's harrowing experience as she becomes overtaken by the spirit of Bathsheba. This theme explores the fragility of human will and the terrifying power of malevolent forces. The struggle to reclaim one's identity from an insidious entity highlights the importance of family and personal strength.

  • Investigative Courage

    Ed and Lorraine Warren embody the theme of investigative courage as they delve into the haunting's mystery without hesitation. Their commitment to helping the Perron family showcases the lengths one can go to confront darkness. The Warrens represent the pursuit of truth amidst supernatural chaos, emphasizing human bravery in the face of fear.

  • Family Bonds

    Family bonds are tested throughout the film, particularly as the Perron family endures unthinkable horrors. The love and dedication among the family members serve as their strongest defense against the evil they face. The eventual reunion and healing signify the restoration of harmony, underscoring the significance of familial ties in overcoming adversity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:48

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Character & theme questions

The Conjuring Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Conjuring (2013): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Conjuring set?

The movie takes place in Harrisville, Rhode Island, a small rural town known for its quiet charm and historic character. The story centers on an old farmhouse that becomes the site of terrifying supernatural occurrences.

  • harrisville
  • rhode island
  • farmhouse
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

The Conjuring is set in 1971, during the early 1970s. This era was marked by growing public interest in paranormal investigations and supernatural themes, which resonated with audiences at the time.

  • 1971
  • 1970s
  • time period
  • era
  • setting
Q3

What are the main themes in the film?

The film explores three key themes: possession, which examines the fragility of human will against malevolent forces; investigative courage, highlighting the Warrens' determination to confront darkness; and family bonds, showing how love and dedication serve as a defense against evil.

  • possession
  • family bonds
  • investigative courage
  • themes
  • meaning
Q4

What makes the Perron house significant?

The Perron farmhouse is not just a residence but a focal point of dark supernatural activity, drawing on local legends and chilling tales. It becomes the center of the paranormal investigation as the family experiences increasingly disturbing phenomena.

  • perron house
  • farmhouse
  • haunted house
  • harrisville
Q5

Who is Ed Warren and what is his role?

Ed Warren is a passionate paranormal investigator who approaches each case with a mix of skepticism and determination. He serves as the primary protector for families suffering from supernatural threats, using his expertise to confront dark entities.

  • ed warren
  • paranormal investigator
  • role
  • character
Q6

What is Lorraine Warren's ability?

Lorraine Warren is a gifted clairvoyant who can sense and communicate with spirits. Her empathetic connection to the supernatural world positions her as a crucial voice of reason, though her gift takes an emotional toll as she battles malevolent forces.

  • lorraine warren
  • clairvoyant
  • psychic
  • ability
  • medium
Q7

Who is Carolyn Perron and what happens to her?

Carolyn Perron is a devoted mother who becomes the focus of the dark forces haunting her family. Her journey explores the struggle to retain one's identity against a malevolent entity, ultimately demonstrating resilience and maternal strength.

  • carolyn perron
  • mother
  • possession
  • character
Q8

Who are the other Perron family members?

Roger Perron is the supportive father who seeks help from the Warrens to protect his family. The family includes several children who become increasingly affected by the dark presence in their home, representing the stakes of the supernatural threat.

  • roger perron
  • perron family
  • children
  • characters
Q9

What is the tone and emotional approach of the film?

The film maintains a consistently dark tone focused on psychological dread and supernatural horror. While the core experience is one of sustained tension, the successful exorcism provides a positive resolution, though a post-credits scene suggests the evil may not be fully contained.

  • tone
  • horror
  • emotional
  • atmosphere
  • dark
Q10

What is the backstory behind the haunting?

The dark presence tormenting the family is linked to the spirit of Bathsheba, a figure from American history whose story becomes central to understanding the supernatural threat. The case later leads to a pivotal moment in American legal history when demonic possession is invoked as a defense in court.

  • bathsheba
  • spirit
  • entity
  • backstory
  • haunting

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Conjuring, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Conjuring tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Paranormal Investigation Movies like The Conjuring

Stories where experts methodically uncover and confront a dark supernatural evil. If you liked the investigative process in The Conjuring, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features similar stories where characters methodically research and confront supernatural forces, creating a blend of procedural intrigue and horror.

  • investigative
  • methodical
  • sinister
  • atmospheric
  • dreadful
  • supernatural
  • Tone: serious, dark, investigative
  • Pacing: steady, procedural
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a pattern of discovery: initial strange events lead to the involvement of investigators who use their expertise to identify the nature and rules of the supernatural threat. The plot is driven by the accumulation of evidence and the race against time to find a solution before the entity's power becomes overwhelming, often leading to a ritualistic or knowledge-based climax.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the process of paranormal investigation. They share a tone of serious inquiry, a steady pacing that mirrors the investigative steps, and a structure that rewards the audience with reveals and escalating stakes based on the characters' discoveries.

Family Under Siege Horror Movies like The Conjuring

Terrifying stories where a home becomes a prison and a family's love is tested by evil. For viewers who enjoyed the family-in-peril aspect of The Conjuring, this list highlights similar horror movies where a household is besieged by evil. These films focus on the emotional terror of protecting loved ones within the walls of their own home.

  • domestic horror
  • family in peril
  • haunted house
  • oppressive
  • terrifying
  • claustrophobic
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, familial
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a family moving into or living in a home that gradually reveals a malevolent presence. The horror escalates from unsettling anomalies to direct attacks, specifically targeting the family's vulnerabilities, often the children. The journey is one of the family bonding under extreme duress to uncover the source of the evil and find a way to fight back, culminating in a desperate final stand.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their central theme of a domestic space under supernatural attack and the profound emotional focus on protecting the family unit. They share a high intensity, a dark tone centered on existential threats to the home, and a heavy emotional weight derived from child endangerment.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Conjuring

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Every angle

The Conjuring (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Conjuring in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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