When “The Conjuring: Last Rites” hits theatres in late September, it will signify the conclusion of one of modern cinema’s most impactful supernatural narratives. Since James Wan’s initial film redefined horror in studios back in 2013, the franchise has flourished with sequels and spin-offs, developing into a legacy brand of fear. However, with “Last Rites,” director Michael Chaves bears the duty of concluding the Warrens’ chilling odyssey on a definitive note.

Chaves is quite familiar with the “The Conjuring” universe. He has previously directed “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and “The Curse of La Llorona,” and he also played a part in “The Nun II.” He has emerged as one of the franchise’s most reliable voices, striking a balance between respect for Wan’s vision and his unique style of atmospheric storytelling. Few directors grasp the tonal essence of “The Conjuring” as thoroughly as Chaves, positioning him as the obvious choice to steer its finale.

We had a conversation with Chaves regarding the process of crafting a finale in a genre known for its endless continuations, the art of respecting horror’s cinematic past, and the genuine encounters that changed his previously skeptical viewpoint on the supernatural.

With “Last Rites” serving as a farewell to “The Conjuring” franchise, what is it like to be in charge of this segment of the series?

Michael Chaves: It’s truly an incredible honor. James posed this question when I came on board. He asked, “What drives your desire to create another Conjuring movie? This will be the third, or maybe even the fourth, depending on how you count it.”

And I replied — he was partly joking, partly sincere — that it’s a fantastic opportunity. It’s a rare occasion to tell a concluding chapter, to provide an ending.

We work in an industry where there’s always the hope that the film you create will lead to a sequel or a franchise or something along those lines. The fact that we have enjoyed this remarkable run, being on this amazing adventure with these characters for 12 years, and having the ability to wrap it up, to narrate a final chapter — it was an opportunity I couldn’t overlook.

Do you envision “The Conjuring” branching out into side narratives or highlighting different characters, given the multitude that exists within the universe? If so, would you wish to be a part of that too?

Michael Chaves: I believe there are always possibilities. This series has performed exceptionally well with spin-offs and exploring villains by giving them their narratives. There are certainly ways to broaden the universe regarding Ed and Lorraine’s story. This is undoubtedly a final chapter. However, I’ve cherished this series. I’ve relished being part of it, and I would be eager to continue. Scheduling permitting, I would love to be involved.

That’s excellent. Now, you indicated you were a fan of the series. How do you feel about the series’ evolution to this point and its current state?

I think it’s been remarkable. It has been a wonderful journey. The initial film was such a fantastic homage to classic cinema — ‘70s horror. I feel like you can see this with “The Nun,” which referenced horror films from the ’50s, and there’s something inherently special about that quality. The third “Annabelle” was somewhat reminiscent of babysitter horror films. It was an excellent way to honor horror and its various forms.

We aimed to capture a bit of both — a tribute to the roots of “The Conjuring,” but also infusing some ’80s influences into “Last Rites.” This series has excelled at celebrating horror.

As we conclude, something lighthearted—After being involved in “The Conjuring” series, has your view on paranormal or supernatural aspects in reality shifted?

Michael Chaves: Certainly. I was raised Catholic and remained a skeptic for a long time. This question often comes up when you’re making these films. However, I never had a decent response because there was nothing… It’s typically, “Did anything eerie happen on set?” And nothing ever did.

Until this film. While we were filming in London, I stayed at a place called the Old Vicarage. It’s roughly a 200-year-old residence where the vicars — English priests — would reside. It was quite nice. My daughter believed she was seeing someone in the house, a shadowy figure. She took a photo on her iPad and showed it to me.

It was a dark, grainy iPad image of the hallway. She asked, “Can you see the person at the end of the hall?” And I replied, “Sweetie