Madison Lawlor & Orion Smith discuss The Conjuring: Last Rites, scares, and their favorite horror movie moments in this interview.
The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest and final installment of the iconic horror franchise, is releasing in theaters on September 5, 2025. While fans are eager to see Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as the legendary couple, they’ll also get a glimpse into the Warrens’ past, with Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith portraying young Lorraine and Ed, respectively.
In this interview, Mama’s Geeky sits down with Lawlor and Smith to discuss what it was like stepping into such beloved roles. We discuss their own experiences with the franchise, including the challenges and joys of portraying the young Warrens, and what fans can expect from this thrilling new chapter.
Reactions To Watching The Conjuring Films For The First Time
Mama’s Geeky: What was your experience like when you first watched The Conjuring movies?
Madison Lawlor: I was terrified. I think they do a really effective job of being super scary, but I loved them too because I love that they have the relationship that you really get invested in between Ed and Lorraine, but then they have these amazing, epic scares and it takes you on a ride. I was terrified.
Orion Smith: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, especially the clap in the first one. That’s a classic. I mean, yeah, definitely. Whenever I’m in my house alone and hear something, it’s like, oh, no, they’ve come. It’s tough. I think, yeah, to Madison’s point too, just like the first one, obviously incredible. But then as it continues to progress, just like, yeah, getting even deeper in the characters and deeper in their world and deeper in their relationship, it’s just a good watch all around. Typically, I’m OK with scary movies, but they can really get me sometimes.
Stepping Into The Conjuring Universe
Mama’s Geeky: What was it like for you joining the franchise?
Madison Lawlor: I feel like aside from extreme excitement and just being super stoked and grateful to join the Conjuring universe, I was really excited to get a peek behind the curtain and see how they did all these things. I had so many questions. I’m like, how did you guys do this? It was really fun to see how they execute these scary moments and just the worlds that they create, the sets, everything. My initial thought was curiosity and then it all just exceeded expectations.
Orion Smith: Being able to peek behind the curtain was so cool. I had this like moment of realization when I was working with Michael Chaves and we were talking through these scenes, and he’s like, okay, so this moment, that’s when the audience is going to be scared. I’m like, oh, he’s thinking of it already. Like he knows each moment what’s going to happen. And just being able to be like, okay, so that’s what we’re creating and being able to lean into that was a very cool experience.
A Love Story In The Middle Of Pure Terror
Mama’s Geeky: You have this adorable little love story in the middle of terror. So what is it like bringing that to life?
Madison Lawlor: I feel like their connection is so important, and it is the heart of the movie. And it’s one of the reasons I love The Conjuring so much because it has depth to it and you really care about their relationship and their connection. For us, it was just like clocking in with each other and being present with each other. And I felt so supported and safe working with Orion to do and go to all these crazy places. So I feel like it was just really being present with each other and just enjoying each other’s company because they seem to so much.
Orion Smith: Yeah, I totally agree. I think while the camera’s rolling and while it’s not rolling, just like being there for each other and sitting in the little tent on the stage while we wait for lights to be set up, and just sitting there in between these super intense takes and these super intense moments and just being able to sit and just be present and be like, “Hey, how’s it going? How do you feel?” It just goes a long way.
The Conjuring: Last Rites Set Was Haunted?
Mama’s Geeky: Do either of you have a moment that you can talk about that was really memorable for you while filming?
Orion Smith: There’s this moment that was on set. It’s like probably the most like haunted, spooky moment that happened on set. It was our first take while we were filming. This door that wasn’t supposed to move at all at just like the most opportune moment, it was like, “Pause,” door creaks open. And everyone on set was like, “What just happened?” Like, are you serious? And, you know, we looked around like, “No, okay, the PAs didn’t do it. Nobody was around this door.” So they put a sandbag behind it. We’re like, “All right, we just got to keep going. Nothing we can do.” But that was definitely a memory to take away for sure.
Madison Lawlor: Goosebumps.
Reading the Script for the First Time
Mama’s Geeky: Without spoilers, what was your reaction when you first read the script?
Madison Lawlor: I think when you know that you’ve gotten cast in it, you’re like, “Whoa, we’re going to do all of this.” And so for me, it’s sort of this, “Oh, wow.” Oh, wow, we’re going to do this. I am so curious to see how this is going to be executed. But also I was just really excited to bring it to life.
Orion Smith: Yeah, I agree. Because kind of similar, just like talking about the horror movie genre, it is so different than a rom-com. Like there is so much more like action in between. And there are aspects of like, “Oh, how are we going to pull that off? Like what is this going to look like on set?” So really, yeah, reading it from that perspective was kind of a new experience for me.
Cast Teases Connections To Past Films
Mama’s Geeky: Is there one thing that you can talk about that you’re most excited to see like come to life or that you can tease?
Madison Lawlor: I think that there’s a lot of nuggets that Conjuring fans, which I am one of, will really enjoy and will be really satisfying. So I’m excited to see all of those moments come to life.
Orion Smith: I mean, just the whole thing, you know, seeing it, especially like on IMAX, I remember one of my friends got a movie on IMAX and I was like, “I gotta get there.” So like seeing this movie in a setting like that on such a big screen, it’s going to be such a cool experience. That’s really what I’m looking forward to.
Check out the full video interview for more spooky secrets and behind-the-scenes moments! The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives in theaters on September 5, 2025.
