The chilling echo of creaky floorboards, the phantom claps that resonate through shadowy corners, and the haunted artifacts of a cursed couple’s history have become emblematic of the modern horror cinematic landscape. Since James Wan set the tone in 2013 with the groundbreaking “The Conjuring,” this universe has grown to be an expansive tapestry of interconnected tales of terror. While the horror rests in the spine-tingling narratives, the heart lies with the characters – primarily, the legendary duo of Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed effortlessly by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. This real-life paranormal investigating couple, whose genuine authenticity remains a topic of debate, stored a collection of eerie artifacts that screamed for their own tales to be told.
The Spin-offs That Defined A Franchise
It wasn’t just the core story of The Conjuring that held viewers captive. The universe it seeded blossomed with tales about the origins of Annabelle, the demonic doll; the nightmarish nun, Valak; and the haunting tales of La Llorona. Each of these stories finds their own place within the broader timeline of the Warrens’ spine-chilling escapades.
However, despite its thematic overlaps, it’s worth noting, as pointed out by director Michael Chaves, “The Curse of La Llorona” doesn’t officially belong to this spine-chilling roster.
Traversing Time: The Conjuring Timeline
- The Nun (1950s): Despite being a later entry in the series, it’s the first chronologically. The setting: 1950s Romania, with the haunting specter of Valek, the malevolent nun, making a terrifying introduction.
- Annabelle: Creation (1955): Unveiling the eerie origin story of the cursed doll, Annabelle, David F. Sandberg takes the audience to 1955 Southern California where innocence meets pure evil.
- The Nun II: Building on its predecessor, “The Nun II” picks up the story of Sister Irene, battling the omnipotent demon, Valak, in a continuation of their unholy dance.
- Annabelle (1967): Fast-forwarding to 1967, the first entry in the Annabelle trilogy sees a young couple face off against the malicious force within the doll.
- The Conjuring (1971): Where it all began. Ed and Lorraine Warren are introduced in this haunting tale from 1971, establishing the heart of the universe.
- Annabelle Comes Home (1972): Picking up just a year after the original, the cursed doll’s tale continues, with the Warrens’ young daughter, Judy, now in the crosshairs.
- The Conjuring 2 (1977): Venturing to England, the Warrens confront the eerie happenings around the Enfield poltergeist.
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (1981): Culminating in 1981, the Warrens face their most personal and challenging case, with the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson at its center.
For the ardent fans or newcomers looking to dive deep, these films can either be devoured based on their chronological events, for an unfolding narrative, or simply by their release dates, for a taste of evolving cinematic techniques and storytelling prowess.
Release Date Reverie
The universe’s chronology by release dates looks like this:
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Annabelle (2014)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- The Nun (2018)
- Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
- The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
- The Nun II (2023)
Signing Off
As the lights dim and the eerie score fills the theater, remember, the Conjuring Universe isn’t just about ghostly apparitions and cursed objects. It’s a testament to love, bravery, and facing one’s fears. Whether you’re revisiting these haunts or delving in for the first time with “The Nun II,” now playing in theaters, there’s an intricate, artfully crafted narrative web waiting for you. So, go ahead, immerse yourself in the hauntings, but don’t forget to leave a light on when you return home.
