The Conjuring

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, The Conjuring is available in Australia on HBO Max, and in the US on YouTube TV and HBO Max right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. An 8/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Vera Farmiga's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on HBO Max.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Conjuring is worth clearing space for. At its heart, The Conjuring understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives. The writing gets a boost from Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who sell every scene they're in. It was released in 2013. The Conjuring is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Viewers who think they have seen every crime drama tend to find The Conjuring proves them wrong. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Vera Farmiga's performance is the kind that shows up on best-of lists years later. If you have been looking for something to fill the gap left by a recently finished story, this is a reliable answer.