Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring was released in 2013. The film was a smash success and, because of its popularity, it produced not just a sequel, but its own cinematic universe. The story expanded outside of Lorraine and Ed Warren with films about eerie doll Annabelle, whom is briefly seen in The Conjuring, and the terrifying Nun from The Conjuring 2. Now comes a brand new entry – The Curse of La Llorona.
Whilst not featuring any supernatural presence that we’ve already seen in other Conjuring universe movies, The Curse of La Llorona clearly slots into the world. Annabelle‘s priest, Father Perez, makes a fleeting appearance to offer help to desperate mother Anna (Linda Cardellini) whose children are being hunted by La Llorona AKA The Weeping Woman. With so many films all interconnecting, and with the universe having a fondness to jumping all across time, we thought we’d help set things straight by creating a timeline for The Conjuring universe films.
1952 – The Nun
Although only released last year, and therefore being one of the most recent Conjuring universe films, The Nun actually kicks-off the universe chronologically (for now at least). Set in 1952 Romania, The Nun stars Taissa Farmiga (younger sister of Vera Farmiga whom plays Lorraine Warren), as Sister Irene, a novice nun. Irene is headhunted by Father Burke to accompany him in an investigation into another young nun’s apparent suicide. It’s not long before they realise that the abbey is home to a deadly demonic force – Valak, whom takes on the appearance of a nun. The pair appear to vanquish Valak and go on their merry way, but the demon hasn’t gone for good, and will go on to make a cameo appearance in Annabelle Creation before taking centre stage again in The Conjuring 2.
Annabelle: Creation – 1955
Annabelle served as a prequel to The Conjuring, and Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to Annabelle. So it’s a prequel to a prequel, very confusing. Taking place in 1955, just three years after the events of The Nun, the story follows a group of young girls as they move from their recently closed orphanage to the Mullins residence. The Mullins used to have a young daughter called Annabelle, but she died tragically in a car accident. Unable to cope with his grief, her father Samuel crafted a doll version of their daughter, one that would become home to a horrifying entity. This entity takes a shine to one of the young girls, Janice, ultimately possessing her and paving the way for Annabelle.
Annabelle – 1967
Twelve years later, in 1967, a grown-up Janice (possessed by Annabelle) joins a Satanic cult and murders her adoptive parents whom live next door to John and Mia Form. Mia is pregnant and is an avid doll collector. To celebrate their happy news, John gifts Mia a rare vintage porcelain doll; that same night, Janice breaks into their house and transports Annabelle’s spirit back into the form of a doll. Mia soon realises that there is something not right with the doll after a series of paranormal activities occur. She then seeks the help of their parish priest, Father Perez. Their attempts to stop the demonic being seem to work, that is until the doll disappears, only to turn up later in an antique store. Annabelle is then purchased for nursing student Debbie, the last ‘owner’ before she is taken into the Warren’s custody.
The Conjuring – 1971
With Annabelle now safely trapped inside The Warren’s museum of nightmares, and the nun still hiding, The Conjuring sees a new demon enter the fray. The year is now 1971 and, having discovered that their new farmhouse might be haunted, concerned parents Roger and Carolyn Perron seek out the help of paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. In order to fully uncover what is happening with the family, the Warrens move into the Rhode Island residence and soon find that they have been targeted by a witch called Bathsheba.
The Curse of La Llorona – 1973
1973 is when the latest film, The Curse of La Llorona, is set. Although it is technically set within the Conjuring universe, with Father Perez popping up briefly, the film deals with a previously unknown entity – La Llorona. La Llorona is the Conjuring universe’s version of the Weeping Woman urban legend. The Mexican matriarch finds herself in seventies Los Angeles, once more on the prowl for children. She targets the son and daughter of Linda Cardellini’s Anna whom must do everything she can to stop La Llorona’s curse from claiming her children.
The Conjuring 2 – 1977
The last tale within the Conjuring universe chronologically (for now at least) is the sequel to the film that started it all, The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Case. The film starts as Ed and Lorraine Warren recount their experience at the very famous Amityville House where Lorraine come face to face with The Nun. The story then quickly jumps to Enfield England in the year 1977. It is here that one of the most prolific hauntings in the United Kingdom occurs as young Janet Hodgson becomes the plaything of a vicious poltergeist. The Warrens are called in to help, but they unknowingly bring along that devious nun, cue supernatural chaos.
The Curse of La Llorona is released in cinemas on Friday 3rd May.
