Climax spirits away tense build-up

The Conjuring isn’t horror director James Wan’s sequel to his hit Insidious – but it may as well have been.

Like many modern horror movies, especially those set in spirit-infested homes, this is at its best during a tension gripping first two-thirds, when Wan uses sound design, jump-outyour-seat scares, lingering camera shots and creepy dolls to terrifying effect.

Then the climax rolls out Exorcistlike possessions, dodgy effects and crazy plot contrivances; although, the final scene is a neat tie-in to an old-school horror.

The Conjuring BBC iplayer ●●●●●