This Friday (9), arrives at HBO Max 'The Conjuring 3: The Order of the Demon', the latest chapter in the horror saga started in 2013. Although this is only the third film, the franchise has yielded a considerable number of spin-offs, 'Annabelle' and 'The Nun', all set in different periods of the original series.
So you don't get lost in the order of events, we've prepared a timeline of all the titles in this haunted universe and the period in which the films are set.
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'The Nun' (Middle Age - 1952)
Here it can be considered the beginning of everything in the 'Summoning of Evil' universe. The story goes back to the Middle Ages, when a Romanian monastery priest invokes the demon Valak. The situation is contained after a ritual involving the blood of Jesus Christ, which allows sending the being back to Hell.
The event seems to have been in the past, until the suicide of a nun in a convent in the region indicates that something dark is lurking. A priest (Demián Bichir) and a novice (Taissa Farmiga) go to the scene to investigate the case and end up discovering that Valak is awake again, this time in the form of a nun.
Directed by Corin Hardy and released in 2018, the film invests more in scares and less in suspense. One of the highlights is the sombre setting of the feature film, recorded on locations in Romania.
'Annabelle 2: The Creation of Evil' (1943-1955)
The famous doll has its macabre origin revealed in this 2017 film. It all starts with the couple Samuel (Anthony LaPaglia) and Esther (Miranda Otto), who tragically loses their little daughter Anabelle. After the loss, the two end up deceived by a demon, which becomes incorporated into one of the deceased child's dolls.
Years later, they open their home to six orphans and their caregiver, the nun Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman). Coincidentally, the nun had already spent time in the monastery haunted by Valak in Romania. One of the orphans, Janice (Talitha Bateman), is possessed by the devil and ends up being adopted by the couple Pete and Sharon.
directed by David F. Sandberg (from the interesting 'When the Lights Go Out'), this 'Annabelle 2' is another good prologue to the Conjuring universe. Good dose of tension and scares, the story connects well 'The Nun' and gives an interesting origin for the Anabelle doll.
'Annabelle' (1967)
Again we have a couple of protagonists who come into contact with Annabelle. Unaware of the toy's cursed origins, John (Ward Horton) gifts his future wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis), the Annabelle doll.
The doll's presence coincides with a series of bizarre events, including the death of the couple's neighbors, Pete and Sharon (seen in 'Annabelle 2'), and the invasion of their home by members of a Satanist cult. One of these invaders is precisely Janice, who killed the adoptive parents and then transfers the demon into Annabelle's body.
First spin-off of the franchise, 'Annabelle' (2014) is one of the most irregular films in the saga and adds little to the main story.
'Invocation of Evil' (1971)
The pair's premiere of paranormal investigators in cinema and fourth film in chronological order, 'Invocation of Evil' (2013) is probably the best of the entire series. Already known for their work, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are called to visit the home of a family who claims to be witnessing paranormal phenomena.
It's a well-wound and contained horror story, but potential to be expanded, which, in fact, happened.
'Annabelle 3: Back Home' (1972)
Once in Annabelle's possession, Ed and Lorraine Warren keep the cursed doll locked in their Artifact Room indoors.
While Ed and Lorraine are out of the house, the doll attracts the couple's daughter, Judy (McKenna Grace) and manages to break free from the dome where it is contained, starting a series of paranormal phenomena in the house and surroundings.
Another film that doesn't add much to the saga either, 'Annabelle 3' (2019) has the merit of being a fun horror and that works even for those who have never seen any of the films in the 'Summoning of Evil' universe.
'The Curse of Weeping' (1973)
It's not exactly tied to the Warren's journey, but 'Curse of Crying' is part of the 'Evil Summoning' universe for one thing: the presence of Father Perez (Tony Amendola), seen carrying the demonic doll in 'Annabelle'.
Apart from that detail, it can be seen as a separate horror story. The plot catches the social worker Anna (Linda Cardellini) who assists a woman cursed by the “Chorona”. Legend has it that “Chorona” is the spirit of a mother who has drowned her children and seeks out other children to do the same.
'The Curse of La Llorona' (2019) is not among the best in the franchise, but it's not bad. Anyway, it can be ignored by those who just want to catch the main saga.
'Invocation of Evil 2' (1976-1977)
a significant change of scenery, the film is set in the UK and picks up the Warens investigating a family home in London.
If the first film in the series featured the Annabelle doll, 'Summoning Evil 2' (2006) featured another striking dark apparition, the diabolic nun Valak, who appears in a vision of Lorraine.
Balancing suspense and more obvious scares, the sequel doesn't have the same impact as the first film, but it's still a good title in the genre.
'Invocation of Evil 3: the Order of the Devil' (1981)
Like the previous two 'Conjuring' films, the third chapter is also set against the backdrop of a real event. Ed and Lorraine Warren this time take on the case of a young man who committed his murder and claimed to be possessed by a demon.
Still showing in some cinemas in the country, the film is the first 'Conjuring' that does not have James Wan in the direction. Who takes on the role is Michael Chaves, the same director of 'The Curse of La Llorona'.
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