Key Points
The Conjuring: Last Rites has renewed global debate over the authenticity of the Smurl haunting.
The film retells one of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s most disputed investigations.
The real events, reported heavily in the 1980s, remain contested by neighbors, investigators, and psychologists.
The movie dramatizes the 1973–1985 claims made by the Smurl family, reviving interest among new audiences.
The franchise’s latest chapter marks the end of its first cinematic era.
A New Conjuring Film Reopens an Old Paranormal Mystery
The release of The Conjuring: Last Rites has thrust the infamous Smurl haunting case back into public discussion. As the final installment of the franchise’s first era, the film revisits one of the Warrens’ most controversial cases—one that has divided believers, skeptics, and paranormal researchers for nearly four decades.
The renewed spotlight has sparked widespread curiosity about whether the chilling events portrayed on-screen were rooted in fact, or shaped for dramatic effect.
Inside the Smurl Haunting: What Really Happened?
A Family’s Claims Begin in the 1970s
The Smurl story dates back to 1973, when Jack and Janet Smurl moved into a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, alongside Jack’s parents and their daughters. For more than a decade, the home appeared completely normal.
Everything changed in 1985.
The family reported strange noises, foul smells, broken lights, and tools disappearing without explanation. These disturbances, they later claimed, escalated into violent attacks that caused injuries and physical force against their children.
Associated Press coverage from the era documented the Smurls’ pleas for help and the widespread skepticism the case drew from neighbors and local authorities.
The Warrens Enter the Investigation
When traditional avenues failed, the family turned to Ed and Lorraine Warren, who investigated the home and declared the presence of multiple entities—including a demon. Their findings were later published in a book and dramatized in a 1991 television film.
But even then, the evidence remained inconclusive. The Catholic Church blessed the home several times, but no official confirmation of paranormal activity was ever issued.
Film Adaptation Sparks Renewed Debate
Dramatic Retelling Meets Historical Ambiguity
The Conjuring: Last Rites draws heavily from the reported events, layering emotional depth and signature franchise tension. The film dramatizes the Smurls’ ordeal and revives long-standing questions about the line between truth and embellishment.
Viewers have turned to online searches to separate fact from fiction, echoing the widespread curiosity that surrounded the case in the 1980s.
Why the Case Remains Divisive
Reuters’ historical reporting highlights enduring doubts. Independent investigators found no evidence of supernatural activity. Psychologists suggested the family’s stress or medical issues may have contributed to their experiences. And neighbors often questioned the validity of the claims.
Despite the skepticism, the Smurl haunting remains one of the most debated paranormal cases in American history—one that continues to captivate new generations.
What Happens Next?
The film’s release ensures the Smurl haunting will remain a prominent topic of discussion, particularly among fans of paranormal media and the Conjuring franchise. With the original saga now concluding, Last Rites may serve as the launching point for renewed investigations, documentaries, and scholarly analysis into one of America’s most disputed supernatural stories.
The debate over what truly happened in the Smurl home is far from settled.
