Now that October has here, many horror film buffs have begun their annual marathons. Even though many excellent new horror films have been released over the past decade, James Wan’s The Conjuring is often regarded as the genre’s most successful picture. One of the most profitable film series in history was launched by the 2013 supernatural horror movie. The Conjuring 2 from 2016 stands out as one of the finest horror franchise continuations. Now we have a new behind-the-scenes look at star Patrick Wilson practising the film’s most emotionally charged scene, thanks to a video shared by Wan. Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s Ed and Lorraine Warren returned in The Conjuring 2 to investigate the infamous “Enfield Poltergeist” case in London.
In the behind-the-scenes footage, Wilson can be seen recording his cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. In a pivotal scene, Ed utilises his musical passion to help the Hodgson family unite while they face their spectral crisis. Wilson’s performance of the iconic Elvis track is one of the greatest in the whole trilogy, despite the fact that the film is more remembered for the eerie horrors of Valak the demon nun and The Crooked Man. It’s also Wan’s personal favourite moment in the second film. “The sequence that prompted me to want to come back and do The Conjuring 2,” as Wan phrased it, is pivotal to the film.
Wan commented that the scene was effective because it showed how the couple helped and comforted the family, but also how Lorraine’s conflicted emotions and her fear of losing Ed (well portrayed by Vera) figured into the scene. At the end of his article, the renowned horror filmmaker said, “This was the first idea I thought of for the movie and that I presented to Patrick.” I inquired as to whether or not he could perform on guitar and sing, and he proudly exclaimed, “That’s literally the other thing I do!” Also, Wilson has a beautiful singing voice. He nails every nuance of Elvis’s style and personality, making for a hilarious and upbeat performance. Wan’s comment is spot-on in every way.
The Conjuring is a horror series about things that go bump in the night, but it’s also a very human narrative about the strength of family, love, and the will to help those in need. In addition to the excellent acting and terrifying thrills, the emotionally resonant plotting is what makes The Conjuring trilogy so outstanding. When it comes to the most crucial part of “ghost hunting,” Wan has a grasp on it that is unmatched by most current filmmakers or even modern specialists in the area. The emotional power of this music scene in The Conjuring 2 stems from the fact that it’s not about gaining notoriety or proving the existence of the supernatural, but rather about assisting those in need.
That the Warrens are able to overcome evil is a testament to the power of love and community. Wilson’s stunning performance isn’t diminished by the fact that this sequel makes some liberties with the Warrens’ real participation in the Enfield case. Add to that Ed and Lorraine’s sweet, longstanding relationship, and I guarantee you that this scene will give any lover of the genre all the feels. Wilson’s cute Elvis cover is the amazing glue that holds this endlessly horrific picture together, and it’s one of the reasons why The Conjuring 2 is one of the finest horror films of the 20th century. Not only did it provide a welcome break from the constant onslaught of demonic horror, but also presented an important but rarely seen aspect of the paranormal with sincerity and affection.
Paranormal investigation is a discipline with a noble goal: helping individuals make sense of their paranormal experiences. The most compassionate researchers also offer reassurance to those who need it. This heartbreaking moment from The Conjuring 2 is a perfect cinematic illustration of this idea. In the following BTS video shot by Wan, you can observe Wilson working on his Elvis impression. This is just more proof that Wilson deserves the title of a national treasure. Also, the full Conjuring trilogy is now available to view in its entirety on HBO Max.