THE CONJURING (15)
★★★II
The Conjuring horror franchise returns with a third “true story” from the files of “demonologists” Ed and Lorraine Warren.
This is based on the 1981 case of 19-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson who used a defence of demonic possession at his trial for the murder of his landlord.
Sensationally, the Connecticut tree surgeon claimed that the murderous demon entered his soul as he witnessed the exorcism of disturbed eight-year-old David Gretzel, brother of his girlfriend Debbie.
The far-from-publicity-shy Warrens were present at the boy’s gruelling ordeal and at Johnson’s trial. Judging by interviews that were given at the time, the couple’s agent experienced otherworldly visions of a Hollywood deal.
The movie version begins with a growling David sprouting giant spidery arms as the Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) help a priest do battle with David’s inner demon.
“Leave him alone and take me,” begs brave Arne (Ruairi O’Connor). Ed is the only person to witness the spirit jumping into Arne’s eyes.
Sadly, Ed then suffers a heart attack and, by the time he regains consciousness days later, Arne has stabbed a man 22 times.
“That kid is gonna live or die on what you find,” Arne’s lawyer warns the Warrens as they look for evidence of the supernatural. Their investigations lead them to a satanic waterbed, a reanimated corpse and a rat-infested basement.
Jump scares are well staged, but this schlocky take on true events failed to churn my stomach.
■ In cinemas now