The Conjuring – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Conjuring

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2013

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

James Wan's expertly crafted horror film about demon-hunting paranormal investigators—scary as hell and absolutely not for kids.

7.5/10

86%

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The Conjuring

movie

R, 2013

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

James Wan's expertly crafted horror film about demon-hunting paranormal investigators—scary as hell and absolutely not for kids.

7.5

86%

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7.5/10

86%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a really well-made horror movie. James Wan knows what he's doing, the critics loved it, and it spawned an entire cinematic universe for good reason. The craftsmanship is excellent—atmosphere, pacing, sound design, all top-tier.

But let's be crystal clear: this is NOT for kids. Not for tweens. Not even for most young teens. This is a film designed to terrify you with demonic possession, children in danger, and relentless supernatural dread. If your 16-year-old is into horror and asking to watch it, fine—it's well-made enough to justify the scares. But younger than that? Hard pass.

For adults who enjoy quality horror, it's genuinely worth watching. For a family movie night? Absolutely not unless your 'family' is all over 16 and actively seeking a scary movie experience.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults who actively want to watch a horror film. Common Sense Media and parent reviews consistently recommend it for mature audiences only due to intense supernatural terror and frightening imagery throughout.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a horror film built on terror, jump scares, and demonic possession. While it doesn't glorify violence and centers on a married couple working together to help a family, the entire emotional experience is designed to frighten and unsettle. Not emotionally healthy for younger viewers, though it avoids gratuitous gore or cruelty for cruelty's sake.

Imaginative

James Wan's direction is genuinely inventive within the horror genre—expertly crafted tension, creative camera work, and atmospheric world-building that draws from 1970s paranormal investigation aesthetics. The film constructs a rich mythology around the Warrens and their cases. However, it's all in service of scares rather than encouraging creative expression or exploration.

Safe

This is a hard R-rated horror film (though rated R primarily for 'terror and frightening images'). Contains intense supernatural violence, disturbing imagery, demonic possession sequences, child endangerment themes, and relentless jump scares. Common Sense Media parent reviews confirm it's suitable 'primarily for older teens and adults' due to intense themes. Absolutely not safe for unexpected viewing by children.

Enriching

Well-crafted filmmaking that demonstrates excellent technical execution in cinematography, sound design, and pacing. The 86% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 7.5 IMDb rating reflect genuine quality. It explores themes of faith, family protection, and confronting evil, though these are secondary to the scares. Limited educational value but shows what expert genre filmmaking looks like.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Legitimately well-made horror with 86% on Rotten Tomatoes—this is quality filmmaking, not cheap jump-scare garbage
Explores themes of faith, family protection, and confronting evil through the lens of the real-life Warren investigators
Atmospheric 1970s setting and vintage paranormal investigation aesthetic that feels authentic
For older teens ready for genuine scares, it's a masterclass in tension-building and horror craft

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What to Watch For

This is a hard R-rated horror film with relentless supernatural terror, demonic possession, and children in peril—not remotely appropriate for kids
Jump scares and disturbing imagery throughout; even mature teens may find it genuinely frightening
Some viewers report it's 'not as frightening for mature viewers,' so mileage varies based on horror tolerance

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes something actually scary versus just startling with a loud noise?"
"The Warrens were real paranormal investigators—do you think that kind of work is real or entertainment?"
"How did the movie build tension without showing everything right away?"
"Would you describe this as scary or terrifying? What's the difference?"

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