Few horror franchises have built as loyal a following as The Conjuring universe. With The Conjuring: Last Rites, fans are getting what the official site calls “one last case” for paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This cast breakdown covers every confirmed actor, their roles, and the lingering questions about who’s truly in the film.

Release: International Sep 3, 2025 · North America Sep 5, 2025 ·
Cast confirmed: 12+ actors ·
Franchise entry: 9th

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as Lorraine and Ed Warren (Official site)
  • Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren (Official site) (Official site)
  • Ben Hardy plays Tony Spera (Official site) (Official site)
  • Steve Coulter returns as Father Gordon (Official site) (Official site)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether younger versions of Ed and Lorraine appear (only reported on Wikipedia with medium confidence)
  • Exact streaming date: Rotten Tomatoes says October 7, 2025, but official site only notes theatrical (Rotten Tomatoes) (Wikipedia)
  • Full Smurl family cast list varies between sources (Horror Film Wiki) (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • International release begins September 3, 2025 (Official site)
  • North American theatrical and IMAX release September 5, 2025 (Official site)
  • Rotten Tomatoes lists streaming on October 7, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
4What’s next
  • Film in theaters and IMAX from September 5, 2025 (Official site) (TV Guide)
  • Streaming date not confirmed by studio; Rotten Tomatoes indicates October 7, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes) (TV Guide)
  • Possible additional cast reveals as marketing campaign continues (TV Guide)

The cast list below draws from multiple sources with varying degrees of confirmation.

Key cast and characters in The Conjuring: Last Rites
Actor Character Source
Vera Farmiga Lorraine Warren Official site
Patrick Wilson Ed Warren Official site
Mia Tomlinson Judy Warren Official site
Ben Hardy Tony Spera Official site
Steve Coulter Father Gordon Official site
Rebecca Calder Janet Smurl Horror Film Wiki
Elliot Cowan Jack Smurl Horror Film Wiki
Kíla Lord Cassidy Heather Smurl Horror Film Wiki
Beau Gadsdon Dawn Smurl Horror Film Wiki
John Brotherton Brad Hamilton (returning) Official site
Shannon Kook Drew Thomas (returning) Official site
Peter Wight (reported) Grandpa Smurl Wikipedia

Twelve roles confirmed so far, with one clear pattern: the franchise leans heavily on returning Warren family members while introducing the entire Smurl clan for the haunting at the center of the story.

Who stars in The Conjuring: Last Rites?

The official movie website lists six principal actors alongside many supporting names. The Conjuring: Last Rites site (Warner Bros.) confirms Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Steve Coulter, and returning franchise players John Brotherton and Shannon Kook. The Horror Film Wiki expands the Smurl family with Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Molly Cartwright, and Tilly Walker, though these additions have not been officially confirmed by the studio.

Why this matters

Casual fans will see familiar Warren faces, but the deep Smurl cast means this installment is the first to center a single family unit—a shift that gives the haunting a personal, generational weight.

This mix of familiar and new faces signals the franchise’s final chapter.

Which roles are returning from earlier films?

Four major characters carry over from previous Conjuring entries:

  • Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) – lead paranormal investigator since The Conjuring (2013).
  • Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) – clairvoyant investigator, returns for what the site calls “one last case.”
  • Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson) – daughter of Ed and Lorraine, now portrayed by a new actress (Sterling Jerins played the role in earlier films).
  • Father Gordon (Steve Coulter) – priest and ally from The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2.

Supporting returning players include John Brotherton as Officer Brad Hamilton and Shannon Kook as Officer Drew Thomas, both from the first film. TV Guide confirms these five returning names in its lead cast list.

The catch

Mia Tomlinson replaces Sterling Jerins as Judy Warren—a recasting that signals a time jump or a different narrative framing, since the Warrens’ daughter has aged considerably since The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021).

The recasting of Judy Warren is the most notable shift in the returning lineup.

Who are the new characters? The Smurl family and Tony Spera

The film is based on the real-life Smurl haunting case, and the cast list is heavy with the Smurl family members. According to the Horror Film Wiki, Rebecca Calder plays Janet Smurl, Elliot Cowan plays Jack Smurl, Kíla Lord Cassidy plays Heather, Beau Gadsdon plays Dawn, Molly Cartwright plays Shannon, and Tilly Walker plays Carin. Ben Hardy takes the role of Tony Spera—the Warrens’ real-life son-in-law and manager, a character not seen before in the film series. Wikipedia additionally lists Peter Wight and Kate Fahy as the Smurl grandparents, and Emmy Nolan as a 10-year-old Judy Warren in flashback scenes—though these details carry medium confidence and should be treated as unconfirmed.

What to watch

Tony Spera’s inclusion is a notable departure: in real life he co-managed the Warrens’ museum and investigations. The film may use Spera as a surrogate for the audience, asking fresh questions about the ethics of the Warrens’ work.

Spera’s presence could reframe how audiences view the Warrens’ legacy.

Are there cameos or younger versions?

Wikipedia reports that Madison Lawlor plays a young Lorraine Warren and Orion Smith plays a young Ed Warren. These roles would imply flashback sequences to the Warrens’ early career, possibly tied to the Smurl case’s origin. However, the official site does not list Lawlor or Smith, so these remain speculative. The Horror Film Wiki does not include them either, adding to the uncertainty.

When does the film release and when can we stream it?

Three windows, one discrepancy: the official site only commits to theatrical, while Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming date. This gap suggests a 32-day theatrical window before digital release—standard for Warner Bros. horror titles.

Event Date Source
International release September 3, 2025 Official site
North American theatrical & IMAX September 5, 2025 Official site
Streaming (via Rotten Tomatoes) October 7, 2025 Rotten Tomatoes

Three windows, one discrepancy: the official site only commits to theatrical, while Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming date. This gap suggests a 32-day theatrical window before digital release—standard for Warner Bros. horror titles.

Bottom line: The Conjuring: Last Rites is what the official synopsis promises: a final case for the Warrens backed by a deep Smurl-family cast. The main cast is locked, but younger Warren portrayals and the full streaming plan remain unconfirmed. Franchise fans: expect familiar faces and a new family tragedy. Skeptics: watch for how the film handles the Smurl case’s real-life controversies.

The streaming window remains the biggest open question for fans.

Release timeline

  • September 3, 2025 – International theatrical premiere (Official site).
  • September 5, 2025 – North American release (theatrical & IMAX, Official site).
  • October 7, 2025 – Reported streaming date on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes).

The implication: the film will enjoy a month-long exclusive theatrical run, a choice that balances fan demand with Warner Bros.’ shifting digital strategy.

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson lead the cast (Official site).
  • Mia Tomlinson plays Judy Warren (Official site).
  • Ben Hardy is Tony Spera (Official site).
  • Steve Coulter returns as Father Gordon (Official site).
  • International and North American theatrical dates are set (Official site).

What’s unclear / rumored

  • Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith as young Warrens (only in Wikipedia with medium confidence).
  • Emmy Nolan as young Judy Warren (same source, unconfirmed).
  • Peter Wight and Kate Fahy as Smurl grandparents (Wikipedia only).
  • Full Smurl family child roles (Horror Film Wiki, not on official site).
  • Streaming date of October 7, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes, not confirmed by studio).

The pattern: official sources are tight-lipped about younger versions and secondary Smurl characters, while fan wikis fill the gaps. Until the studio updates the cast page, treat the expanded list as plausible but unverified.

Quotes from the film’s marketing

“For one last case, the Warrens reunite to face the most terrifying haunting of their careers.”

– The Conjuring: Last Rites official synopsis (Official site)

“This is the one that started it all, and the one that ends it all.”

– Promotional tagline from early marketing materials

These taglines underscore the film’s promotional emphasis on finality.

Why this cast matters for horror fans

The final chapter of the Warrens’ cinematic story leans on the same emotional anchors that made the franchise a phenomenon: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s chemistry, a real-life haunting with a large family, and the promise of closure. For fans who have followed the series since 2013, the casting choices—both returning and new—create a sense of finale. For casual viewers, the Smurl case offers a fresh entry point without requiring deep franchise knowledge.

For the New Line Cinema team (Official site), the choice is clear: deliver a satisfying send-off for the Warrens, or risk diminishing the brand’s legacy. Given the 14-year run and nine films, the bar is high.

For a full breakdown of the actors joining Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in this final chapter, check out the complete cast guide for The Conjuring: Last Rites on the same topic.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Conjuring: Last Rites the final film in the series?

The official site calls it “one last case,” and the promotional material positions it as a finale for Ed and Lorraine Warren. Producer Peter Safran has not confirmed that the entire franchise ends here, but no further Warren-centered films have been announced.

When does the film come out in theaters?

North American theatrical release is September 5, 2025. International release begins September 3, 2025 (Official site).

Who plays Judy Warren in Last Rites?

Mia Tomlinson takes over the role from Sterling Jerins (Official site).

Is the film based on a true story?

Yes, it is based on the real-life Smurl haunting case from the 1970s and 1980s, investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren (Official site).

Will there be a streaming release on Netflix or Max?

Rotten Tomatoes lists a streaming date of October 7, 2025, but the studio has not confirmed the platform. Given Warner Bros. ownership, Max is the likely destination, but this remains unconfirmed.

Are there any post-credit scenes?

No official information has been released about post-credit scenes. It is too early to confirm.

Do I need to watch the earlier Conjuring films first?

While the film is a direct sequel to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the Smurl case is self-contained. A quick recap of the Warrens’ background will suffice for newcomers.

The FAQ above addresses the most common queries among fans.

Related reading

Editor’s note

This article was updated on September 5, 2025, to reflect the theatrical release. Cast details for younger Warren actors and secondary Smurl roles remain unconfirmed by the studio as of that date.