With the upcoming release of The Conjuring: Last Rites, there is a lot that audiences should remember about the horror franchise. The story of The Conjuring: Last Rites will follow Ed and Lorraine as they try to banish a demon from a family’s home, with the case being billed as the Warrens’ last.

Last Rites is the fourth main installment in the Conjuring film franchise, as well as the tenth movie in The Conjuring Universe. Since this cinematic universe began in 2013, much has happened to the Warrens and the people who inhabit their world. As a result, it has developed a rich mythology surrounding the Satanic and supernatural.

Considering the history and world-building surrounding The Conjuring Universe, there is a lot to remember. But, in case you haven’t had time to rewatch all the Conjuring movies ahead of time, these are some key things that you should be aware of before seeing Last Rites.

The Conjuring Films Are Inspired By Real Cases

The Conjuring franchise has delved into the many alleged cases of hauntings and paranormal activity investigated by real-life figures Ed and Lorraine Warren. Like with most “based on a true story” horror films, many creative liberties were taken in presenting the Warrens’ cases on the big screen, so everything is not completely accurate.

The first Conjuring film explored the Annabelle doll case and the Perron family haunting. The sequel explored the Amityville murders and the Enfield Poltergeist. The Devil Made Me Do It presented the exorcism of David Glatzel and the subsequent trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. Last Rites will present the Smurl family haunting in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in 1986.

The Warrens’ Daughter, Judy

Like Ed and Lorraine, their daughter Judy has been a recurring figure in The Conjuring Universe. Judy was a child when the franchise began. While the first film mainly took place in 1971, Last Rites will take place in 1986, when Judy has grown into an adult who seems to be getting married.

Mia Tomlinson plays Judy in the fourth Conjuring film. While stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have consistently portrayed their characters in the Warren family, Tomlinson will be the third actor to play the character, after Sterling Jerins and Mckenna Grace. The trailer for the new movie has shown Judy in a perilous situation, so she could be a key figure in its scariest moments.

The Perron Family

Two members of the Perron family are confirmed to reappear in Last Rites. They first appeared in The Conjuring, tormented by the ghost of the witch Bathsheba, who began haunting the land where the Perrons live after she hung herself from a tree.

Since The Conjuring ended with Ed and Lorraine banishing Bathsheba’s spirit to Hell, it’s no surprise that they are still in touch with Perrons after saving their lives. Lili Taylor and Mackenzie Foy will reprise their roles as Carolyn and Cindy Perron as they attend Judy’s wedding.

Lorraine Warren Has Psychic, Clairvoyant Powers

In The Conjuring Universe, Lorraine is depicted with the ability to see spirits and have visions of the past and future. According to franchise lore, she discovered this ability as a child when she visited her mother in the hospital and saw an angel touching a patient.

Lorraine’s power has been the source of great pain and fear, given all that it allows her to see and feel. Nevertheless, this extraordinary ability has allowed her and Ed to uncover and defeat the ghosts, demons, and witches that have tormented people in their many cases throughout The Conjuring franchise.

The Warrens Have A Collection Of Occult Artifacts

Like the real-life versions of themselves, Ed and Lorraine have a room in their house filled with objects that are either cursed or have been used in some paranormal event or ritual. Each of the Conjuring films showed the Warrens adding an item from their latest case to their collection.

Objects found in the Warrens’ museum include the music box from The Conjuring, the Crooked Man zoetrope and the Valak painting from The Conjuring 2, and Isla’s occult chalice from The Devil Made Me Do It. Other cursed items that were featured in Annabelle Comes Home include a toy monkey, a Ferryman’s coin, samurai armor, a musical organ, the Bride’s wedding dress, and a Feeley Meeley board game.

Ed Is Already Having Health Issues

In The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Ed has a heart attack during the exorcism of David Glatzel. It left him with heart problems that force him to take medication. This could make performing another exorcism in Last Rites even more challenging and life-threatening.

Despite the franchise’s deviations from real-world history, it seems unlikely that Ed will meet his end from heart failure in Last Rites. The real Ed Warren pᴀssed away in 2006, and the story of Last Rites will take place in 1986. However, a health scare could raise the stakes of the new movie, perhaps by weakening Ed during a very pivotal moment.

Ed Was Possessed In The Third Conjuring Film

Many characters have been possessed in The Conjuring Universe, but The Devil Made Me Do It did something different by having Ed be possessed by a demon. As he and Lorraine were trying to stop Isla from killing Arne, the sorcerer used her magic to take control of Ed in an attempt to kill Lorraine, in the vein of Jack Torrance in The Shining.

While Ed regained control of his body, this incident showed that even he was vulnerable to demonic possession. It’s unknown whether Last Rites will repeat this plot point with Ed, but his previous possession could be referenced in the movie. It might make him more susceptible to control now, or perhaps Lorraine will still have lingering trauma from the incident.

The Warrens’ History With The Disciples Of The Ram

This Satanic cult has been a major antagonistic force in The Conjuring Universe. Introduced in Annabelle, the group of devil worshipers have used their dark arts to summon demons to gain power, collaborating with the demon possessing the Annabelle doll. More recently, in The Devil Made Me Do It, the priest Kastner revealed that he investigated and took down the Disciples.

However, Kastner also adopted a woman named Isla, who seemed to have inherited the occult knowledge of the Disciples to summon a demon and create chaos. It is possible that the Disciples will return in some form, including as villains, in Last Rites.

Valak Has Become An Overarching Franchise Villain

With Valak’s many appearances in The Conjuring Universe, it can be difficult for some to keep track of the villain’s history. Valak is a demon that has taken many forms in the franchise, but has mainly appeared as a nun. This was done to blend in with the nuns who inhabited the monastery where he was imprisoned, as well as to mock his target’s religious faith.

Valak first appeared as the main villain of The Conjuring 2, revealed to be the true Enfield poltergeist. He also appeared in the prequel spin-off films, The Nun and The Nun II. However, after learning the demon’s name, Lorraine banished Valak to Hell. Though Valak is an iconic villain, it is unlikely he will return as a villain in Last Rites, but he could be referenced.

Annabelle Remains With The Warrens

Along with Valak, Annabelle is one of the most iconic faces of The Conjuring Universe. This creepy porcelain doll has served as a vessel for the evil demon Malthus, who has tormented several people.

Since the Warrens discovered the Annabelle doll in The Conjuring, the couple took ownership of it and kept it in a blessed case to prevent Malthus from causing more trouble. As shown in the teaser for The Conjuring: Last Rites, Annabelle remains locked away in the Warrens’ Occult Museum, so it is unknown if the doll will be set free again, like in the spin-off film, Annabelle Comes Home.