The conjuring movies (2013-2021) at the center of the horror universe: Exploring the structure of the haunted world of james wan

Abstract

This study focuses on the structure of the Conjuring universe (2013-), covering the central trilogy, spin-offs, and sequels to demonstrate ways of interrelation between the productions. For this purpose, first, the prologue sequences of the Conjuring movies (2013-2021) will be examined to discuss the central cases that affect the narrative. These cases are the Annabelle doll, the Amityville Horror House, and the exorcism of David Glatzel. This chapter approaches the cases in the prologue sequences as the establishments of the plotline in the Conjuring movies, which also shape the others in the universe. The commonalities and distinctions between the Conjuring movies will be described through the discussion. In this way, the narrative tropes, which serve the interrelation in the universe, will be explored. In this regard, the functions of the Easter eggs and the events that foreshadow the forthcoming conflicts in the subsequent movies will be searched. Therefore, this chapter aims to scan the way of storytelling in the Conjuring universe. Besides, the narrative conventions, which make a group of movies a narrative universe beyond the franchise, will be discovered. In the genre, James Wan is regarded as a talent with a couple of titles, including the director, the producer, and the scriptwriter who gathers several characters, haunted relics, and popular paranormal cases together in a contemporary way. Thus, this study proposes to contribute to the field, which examines several horror movies in a branded narrative universe to interstate the structure of the Haunted World of James Wan within the recent works. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.