PROMOTION: The Conjuring Saga’s Five Scariest Demons And Ghouls

Over their years as paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren encountered all kinds of supernatural evils. And so, The Conjuring films – adapted from some of their most famous case files – have plenty of material to draw from when delivering some of the scariest, creepiest, and most sinister ghouls to grace the big screen. With James Wan’s legendary 2013 original film – the first entry in the most successful horror saga of all time – now available in glorious 4K (and The Conjuring: Last Rites soon hitting cinemas), here’s your ultimate guide through the darkest demons in the series.

Annabelle

Seen in: The Conjuring, Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle Comes Home

The entire Conjuring saga begins with Annabelle. Not her spin-off prequel movie (itself the beginning of an entire trilogy); no, Wan’s original film kicks off with a living-doll encounter, based on one of the Warrens’ most infamous haunted artefacts. This possessed piece of porcelain – in real life a Raggedy Ann doll – might look innocuous enough, but should never be let out of her glass case; she’ll go wandering, pop up in the night, and daub terrifying messages across your walls (murder on a security deposit, renters). The doll is a conduit for all kinds of rogue entities, an object through which an unsuspecting person may themselves become possessed. In short: leave her alone.

Bathsheba Sherman

Seen in: The Conjuring

As the Perron family learns, you don’t mess with Bathsheba. When the clan – Roger, Carolyn, and their five kids – move into their new Rhode Island house, they experience all kinds of unnerving activities by night. Turns out, it’s the work of Bathsheba Sherman (or, her malevolent spirit), a 19th Century Satanist who haunts all who move in to her former abode. With a family tree stretching back to those accused in the Salem witch trials, Bathsheba did the unthinkable and sacrificed her baby to the Devil. Her lingering presence attempts to make other mothers do the same to their children. As Patrick Wilson’s Ed Warren says: “By the power of God, I condemn you back to hell!”

The Crooked Man

Seen in: The Conjuring 2

Appearing as part of the Enfield haunting in Wan’s sequel, The Crooked Man is – technically – another manifestation of Valak. But, it’s a design so cool, so creepy that it deserves its own mention. Drawn from an old English folk rhyme (“There was a Crooked Man, and he walked a crooked mile…”), he’s manifested into nightmarish physical form from the toys of the Hodgson children, emerging from a flickering zoetrope into a two-metre-tall slenderman, all razor-sharp teeth, gangly limbs, and eerie bowler hat. With his deeply uncanny movements (actor Javier Botet moved backwards, and the footage was reversed), imposing stature and threatening aura, he became an instant Conjuring icon – no wonder he nearly got his own spin-off film.

The Ferryman

Seen in: Annabelle Comes Home

In just a few minutes of screentime, The Ferryman makes his mark – a folkloric ghoul with coins for eyes, who might take your soul to the afterlife, or choose to keep it for himself. When The Ferryman awakens – thanks to the meddling of Annabelle who’s been let out of her case (as we said: hugely bad idea) – he brings all the tortured souls he’s collected with him. With his skull-like visage, The Ferryman has a classically spooky design that makes him instantly eerie – but his haunting value lies not just in the idea of him coming for you, but that your very essence might be tied to him for all eternity. No thank you!

Valak

Seen in: The Conjuring 2, The Nun, The Nun II

In the pantheon of foes the Warrens face across the saga, Valak is second to…well, none. More colloquially known as ‘The Nun’, this wimple-wearing spirit is perhaps the biggest bad in The Conjuring universe – its pointy fingers are in all kinds of pies across the series, including the Enfield haunting as depicted in The Conjuring 2, and the prequel events of The Nun and its follow-up. A shape-shifting siren of evil, Valak is able to torment both in real life and in visions, warping the walls of reality with its unholy powers. Naming the demon proves key to taking away its power, so please repeat: Valak, Valak, Valak. Got it?

The Conjuring is available for the first time on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray now