Scares at their very best – “The Conjuring” on 4K UHD
- Kay Reynolds
- Sep 15
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 17
4K ULTRA HD REVIEW / HDR SCREENSHOTS
Carolyn Perron (Lili Taylor), mother of five daughters, is overcome by demonic forces in their haunted house in Rhode Island.
(Click an image to scroll the larger versions)
“THE CONJURING”
4K Ultra UHD & Blu-ray; 2013; R for sequences of disturbing violence and terror; Digital copy via Amazon Video (4K), Apple TV (4K), Fandango Home (4K), Movies Anywhere (4K), YouTube (4K)
Best extra: The original (2013) extras remain the best, but two new featurettes bring us up to date.
IT’S BEEN a good week for “The Conjuring” franchise, which began in 2013 under the eye of director James Wan. Variety and Deadline report the latest – and reported finale, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” – opened with a record $194-million global total and $83-million debut, the biggest opening for any horror film, and certainly the franchise. Warner Bros. released the original “Conjuring” on 4K UHD as well.
The summer has seen new, outstanding releases in horror with Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” and Zach Cregger’s “Weapons,” destined to become classics. We can credit the 12-year-old “Conjuring” for the ongoing refresh of supernatural films. There’s no doubt “Paranormal Activity” (2007) and “The Sixth Sense” (1999) made impacts. Traditional ghost stories focus on lots of atmosphere – think gothic – and startling, eerie visuals, like “The Woman in Black” (2012). Ghosts have unfinished business or trauma that keeps them on this plane. Solve this mystery and the ghost moves on as in “The Uninvited” (1944) that influenced Steven Spielberg for a scene in “Poltergeist” (1982). “The Changeling” (1980) starring George C. Scott as a grieving father, is another outstanding example of taking scares into a contemporary setting.
(1-4) During an opening flashback, paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren (Vera Farmiga & Patrick Wilson) investigate the Annabelle case involving a possessed doll that tormented friends Debbie (Morganna Bridgers) and Camilla (Amy Tipton).
Then came “Ringu/The Ring” (1998/2002) and “Ju-on: The Grudge” (2002) to boosting terror to higher peaks. These ghosts lingered. They terrified and killed and would not go away. Moving didn't help as the spirit followed, even across continents. Told in modern settings, most people knew their histories and the smart ones stayed away. Luckless newcomers or kids investigating on a whim or dare found out how deadly these spirits could be. These two films delivered primal reactions changing the face of ghost story horror.
Based on a true story from the files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, “The Conjuring” taps into that with its cruel Bathsheba (Joseph Bishara), a long-dead satanist. She remains attached to her house because she wants to, corrupting the innocent and killing throughout the centuries. Bonus features from the Blu-ray released in 2013 remain fascinating, especially the interview with Lorraine Warren, “A Life in Demonology,” carried over to the new 4K UHD. She was a consultant on the film, hosting actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga at her home in Connecticut as they absorbed background for their roles. The Perron family, victims of the haunting, also share their experiences and reactions to the movie.
Wan draws us into the story, written by brothers Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes, by introducing us to husband and wife Ed and Lorraine Warren (Wilson and Farmiga). The couple are first seen giving a lecture on the paranormal, featuring the infamous doll, Annabelle. They describe how three young women gave permission to the spirit of a supposed seven-year-old girl to enter the doll. Bad move! The spirit is a demon in disguise, making its home in the doll, while planning to possess one of the girls.
(1-3) It’s 1971 when the Perrons move into an old farmhouse located in Rhode Island. After a few disturbing events, the children and their parents find a sealed entrance to the basement in one of the closets. The father, Roger Perron (Ron Livingston), explores it. (4) Roger and his wife Carolyn reassure each other they’ve made the right move for their family. (5) But by the next morning, they find their dog, Sadie, who wouldn't enter the house, killed.
Jump to 1971 and Annable is safely (?) tucked away in the Warren’s collection of haunted artifacts located in their home. When a reporter asks, Ed explains that the items are only vessels, and that destroying them would only release the evil back into the world to cause more chaos.
Next, we meet a down-on-their-luck family, Roger and Carolyn Perron (Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor) and their five daughters, as they move into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island. We know something’s off when the dog refuses to go into the house. The family notes that all clocks stop at 3:07 a.m., while Carolyn awakens with severe bruises every day. They discover a boarded-up basement, and Carolyn and her daughter Christine (Joey King) are attacked by a malevolent spirit. As events grow more intense and frequent, Carolyn contacts Ed and Lorraine, begging them to investigate. The Warrens agree, and after arriving with their team, they quickly discover that, yes, the Perrons have a problem.
“The Conjuring” moves into mystery-mode as the Warrens try to find out who is haunting the farmhouse and why. The Perrons confide they have no place else to go. They’ve put everything they have into the house. Worse, Lorraine warns moving won’t make any difference. The malevolence has latched itself onto the family, so wherever they go, it goes as well.
The Warrens decide their only option is an exorcism to make the house safe, but still must first get permission from the Catholic church. Even with all their evidence, it’s going to take time – time the Perrons don’t have.
(1-4) Young Christine Perron (Joey King) accuses her sister Nancy (Hayley McFarland) of pulling her feet while she was asleep. Christine is comforted by her parents, while the accused sister looks on.
VIDEO
Oddly, Warner did not remaster the original 2.8K to 4K, and only added HDR10 grading, while Dolby Vision has been available on the Digital version since 2018. And, everything was encoded onto the smaller 66 GB disc.
Still, fans and newcomers won’t be disappointed, as every scene looks brand new. The detail is impressive, revealing what previously lurked behind shadows without ruining the mood. Images are much sharper and more realistic, bringing out patterns and textures from the ‘70s style clothing, vehicles, kitchens, and office, to the dungeon-like basement into far better focus. The flashback scenes are desaturated, while the rest of the film is warmer and more vibrant, with improved contrast from shadows and good, solid blacks to bright highlights. This release can easily pass for a genuine 4K upgrade.
AUDIO
Warner also neglected to add a Dolby Atmos upgrade, which could be a good thing since the original six-channel DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack holds up so well – especially the bass track. Atmos might have been overkill. Surround effects – all that goes bump in the night – conversation, and Bishara’s (yes, Bathsheba) original score remains organic and sounds great. The track envelopes the room with tense atmosphere, including whispers, ghostly movement, and decisive, room-shaking bass. It's nice to be reminded that Wan does not overuse jump scares, allowing time to build suspense. The soundtrack absolutely supports his choices.
(1) Carolyn is lured to the basement. (2) Demon-spirit Bathsheba (Joseph Bishara) taunts the family from atop the wardrobe in the girls’ room.
EXTRAS
Two new bonus features join the original three ported over from the Blu-ray release:
“Scariest of Them All” (8 mins.) where cast and crew reminisce about the story and its scares.
“Reflections on the Conjuring” (7 mins.) with Wan, Taylor, Wilson, and Farmiga look back on making the film. Wan laughs at his image, recalling how he streaked his hair red for good luck when filming. Obviously, that's no longer necessary.
The original extras remain a good watch.
“A Life in Demonology” (7 mins.), showcasing the lives of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
“The Conjuring: Face-to-Face with Terror” (15 mins.) explores making the film. While Wan had directed other horror films – “Saw,” 2004, “Dead Silence,” 2007, and “Insidious,” 2010, also starring Patrick Wilson – "The Conjuring" was a different beast, based on a file from the Warrens.
“Scaring the ‘@$*%’ Out of You” (8 mins.) explores that in more depth.
Ghost stories have changed and broadened over the years, keeping what works and expanding new ideas with social and psychological twists, shocking frights, international travel and influence, found footage (“Paranormal Activity,” “Hell House LLC” anyone?) and more explicit backstories, contemporary surroundings and shifting gender roles. Women are no longer weeping and shuddering in the background, waiting for a man to save them – another reason to love the Warrens. They are an accomplished team. Better sound design boosts that sense of you-are-there. The use of CGI has increased, but it’s good to see Wan’s “Conjuring” relies on practical effects, another plus in the franchise.
“The Conjuring” became an instant, lasting classic, and the new 4K is a plus. But how about you? What’s your favorite - or favorites? Do older films or new ones bring on the shivers? We want to know!
— Kay Reynolds and Bill Kelley III, High-Def Watch producer
(1&2) Ed and Lorraine Warren discuss the paranormal and their investigations to a fascinated audience, while Carolyn looks on. (3&4) Ed and Lorraine go over the Perron’s situation after Carolyn requests their help. Ed is concerned, unwilling to take on a new case, after the last one disturbed his wife so badly. (5) The Warrens interview the Perron parents after deciding to review the situation. (6) Lorraine examines April’s (Kyla Deaver) “friend,” who hides in an unsettling toy found in the house. (7) A scene from Lorraine’s POV. As the Warrens discuss how to help the Perron family, she spots Bathesheba’s hanging corpse over Ed’s shoulder. He remains oblivious, but knows something has upset Lorraine.
(1) The Warrens’ investigative team prepares to explore the haunting, setting up cameras outside and inside the farmhouse. (2) Ed finds and studies photos of former residents. (3-6) Things go bump-in-the-night-and-day. Noises, apparitions and attacks escalate as the investigation continues. Possessed, Carolyn must be restrained.
SPECS:
66 GB disc
2K master upconverted to 4K Ultra HD
2.8K ARRIRAW digital cameras, 2.39:1 aspect ratio
Video bitrate: Varies from the mid-50 Megabits per second and peaks around 90 Mbps. A running time of 112 minutes.
HDR10 maximum light level: 727 nit
Max frame average light level: 95 nit
Box office: $137 million domestically and worldwide $320 million, with a production budget $20 million. Filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Rotten Tomatoes: Top Critics – 75 percent, Moviegoers – 83 percent
Metacritic: 68 percent, User Score 7.8