After more than a decade, The Conjuring universe says goodbye to Ed and Lorraine Warren and in turn, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s notable performances as the famous paranormal investigators. The Conjuring: Last Rites is slated to be the last film starring the two. The movie finds the Warrens in West Pittston, Pennsylvania to investigate the infamous Smurl House, a haunting that went on for years and terrorized a family. The case drew a firestorm of local and national publicity.
While the film does focus on the Smurls and the horror within their northeastern, Pennsylvania home, it still centers on the Warren family, including their daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson). The film also features flashbacks to the Warrens' very first case and the subsequent birth of their daughter.
Shortly after the film’s release, we spoke with Madison Lawlor, who plays young Lorraine, and Orion Smith, who plays young Ed. This interview was edited slightly for clarity.
First of all, what was it like to play the younger versions Ed and Lorraine Warren?
Madison Lawlor: It definitely felt like big shoes to fill. The Conjuring universe has built this amazing fanbase and so much of that is due to the relationship between Ed and Lorraine and Vera and Patrick. I just wanted to do it justice and honor them and the world they built.
Orion Smith: I remember that even just getting the audition for this was so cool. Then, we got the callback and got cast for the parts. There was so much excitement, but we realized we had to deliver on this. It was such an honor to play the younger versions of them. There was pressure there, but I was so glad everything turned out well, and the movie is being acknowledged as it should. I just feel so grateful.
How much research into the Warrens did you do prior to this film?
Orion Smith: It was a mixture of the real Ed Warren and what’s been created in The Conjuring universe by Patrick Wilson. I spent a lot of time watching their interviews and reading their real cases and trying to get a grasp of who they were as people and what they were like growing up, especially since we played the younger version of them. I then let all of that go and honed in on what’s been created in previous movies and appreciating the incredible relationship that Ed and Lorraine have in these movies and really honing in on who they are in that way.
Madison Lawlor: The production sent us a ton of footage and interviews that we could watch beforehand, which was very helpful. As Orion said, the version that a lot of people know of Lorraine is the version that Vera has beautifully brought to screen. I spent a lot of time studying her, the way she moves, the mannerisms, and the way she speaks, so hopefully the younger version would have a sense of familiarity with the audience.
Were you able to talk to Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson at all while filming? If so, did they give you any advice about inhabiting the lives of these famous paranormal investigators?
Madison Lawlor: They were incredibly kind, warm, and generous. Vera sat down with me. She has so much knowledge about Lorraine and this world. She was an open book. She taught me how to do the rosary wrap the way that she does it. She was also incredibly encouraging. She said to have ownership over this and to bring a freshness to it. She was incredibly cool, kind, and generous with her time.
Orion Smith: Same with Patrick. He sat down with me. We went through, beat by beat, my whole sequence. We talked about the voice, Ed Warren, and all these different things. It really gave me a grasp of who Ed is and how he loves Lorraine more than anything.
Based upon the research, what did you learn about the Warrens that you didn’t know prior to this film?
Orion Smith: I realized they were one of the first to do it. They were so groundbreaking at the time. Even the technology was pretty new, especially during their younger days. That they were really the first stuck out to me the most.
Madison Lawlor: I agree. They were really trailblazers. They did something new. It’s fascinating how they were able to create this space that didn’t exist before for paranormal investigation.
What was it like shooting that nerve-jangling birth scene at the hospital? Was it as intense as it comes across in the film?
Madison Lawlor: It was incredibly intense. We shot, even just the end part of that scene, over three days. It takes a lot of physical stamina that I think is hard to play around with. It was draining and exhausting, but also beautifully satisfying. It’s such a team sport. You’re in that room with all of these other amazing actors and amazing sets. I was able to work with a midwife who talked me through the reality of what a traumatic birth feels like. There was so much support there, but at the same time, it’s physically uncomfortable. You’re on a hard, tiny, medical cot. You’re in this crazy position, and it was very exhausting. My body was physically sore. I was really concerned about losing my voice, but it was a trip. It was crazy.
Orion Smith: The physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion was real. I felt like my job was to be there for Madison, and as Ed, to be there for Lorraine and to be present as she went through this immensely traumatic experience.
This is supposed to be the final Conjuring movie, but if you’re asked back, would you return as Ed and Lorraine? This is hypothetical and nothing has been announced yet.
Madison Lawlor: I’d be grateful to be part of any of it. They built this incredible world, and it would be so fun to explore.
Orion Smith: Even from the perspective of a fan of the franchise, it’s so interesting to think about how they began. Their origin story is such an interesting concept to me. I’d be honored.
Are there any favorite behind-the-scenes moments that you can share?
Orion Smith: I remember this one moment. It was after filming a sequence in London somewhere. Madison and I shared the same car ride on the way back. We were both in full hair and make-up. We looked ridiculous and felt exhausted from the long day. [Laughs].
Madison Lawlor: It’s such a crazy thing we do. You have to fully commit to it. We just finished filming this hectic, intense part of the sequence. I had mascara running down by my face. I looked insane. We got in the car. The windows were down, and people were looking in the windows as we drove through Hyde Park. It’s a trip afterwards. I can’t believe what we do.
The Conjuring: Last Rites is currently in theaters.