Where was The Conjuring filmed?
2013
City Locations
Wilmington, Currie, North Carolina (USA)
Location Types
House, University, Motel, Church
Location Styles
Craftsman, Georgian, Lake House
About The Conjuring
Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring is a horror movie starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. Produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros, Pictures, the film was initially titled "The Warren Files" and later changed to "The Conjuring." It revolves around the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a married couple. The plot follows the Perron family, who move into an 18th-century farmhouse in 1971 that is soon haunted. When the family begins experiencing disturbing events, they turn to Ed and Lorraine for help. After further investigation, it is revealed that their house is possessed by a demon spirit of a deceased young girl who seeks a human host. With their knowledge of the paranormal, Ed and Lorraine must protect the family from the dangerous force that possesses their residence. The Conjuring was well-received critically, and it was one of the highest-rated horror films since 2000. The film grossed over $319 million worldwide against its budget of $20 million and spawned multiple sequels and a spin-off franchise titled The Conjuring Universe.
The Conjuring Locations
The production of The Conjuring utilized a variety of locations throughout the Wilmington, North Carolina region to create the backdrop for the horror movie. Most scenes in the film were shot at EUE/Screen Gems Studios, which features ten stages with 250,000 square feet of production space. Location scouting was conducted to find suitable properties, and 405 Canetuck Road was chosen for exterior scenes. The property has two stories with narrow staircases and low ceilings.
The entire Wilmington area provided diverse landscapes and an eerie atmosphere for the film, including riverside towns, white sand beaches, dense forests, and sprawling fields. The surrounding landmarks such as Airlie Gardens, Orton Plantation, and Fort Fisher State Historic Site also provide striking settings that were used during filming to further add to the spookiness of the environment. A trip to these locations would be worthwhile as you could experience first-hand how each setting is threaded together to create an incredibly chilling horror movie. You can also look forward to seeing familiar sites from the film, such as various haunted houses or abandoned plantations while being amazed at how they seamlessly fit into their natural surroundings. If you're brave enough, visiting at night when it's darker out would be an even more thrilling experience!
Fun Fact:
Joseph Bishara, who worked with Wan in 2011 on "Insidious,” also composed the musical score for "The Conjuring."
The Perron house scenes in The Conjuring
405 Canetuck Rd, Currie, NC 28435, USA
At the beginning of the movie, the Perron family moves into a creepy old farmhouse with narrow staircases, low ceilings, and an unsettling atmosphere. The family includes Carolyn (Lili Taylor), Roger (Ron Livingston), and their five daughters. As they enter the house, they feel chilly and uneasy. The dog refuses to join them, barking erratically outside as if sensing something sinister. One of the daughters also feels someone pulling at her feet. It sets up an ominous mood as the family goes about settling into their new abode, a home that will drive them to their limits with its malevolent force. The Black River in Pender County served as the setting for the exterior shots of Perron house, located at 405 Canetuck Rd in Currie, USA. The residence is two stories high and covers an area of 5000 square feet. At around a hundred years old, the house features narrow staircases and low ceilings. The Heinzens have renovated the property to welcome curious guests who can stay overnight. If you're interested in visiting The Conjuring filming location, fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and rent a car, it's a 2-hour drive to Currie. Alternatively, fly into Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) or Wilmington International Airport (ILM), roughly 1 hour away from Currie.
Carolyn seeks help from Ed and Loraine scene in The Conjuring
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Depaolo Hall, 4734 Alumni Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
Ed and Lorraine Warren well-known paranormal investigators, present a seminar at the university to describe different types of paranormal phenomena. Carolyn expresses her concerns to them outside the university, seeking their assistance to confirm her doubts. The scene takes place on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. It is a pivotal moment for Carolyn Perron and her family as she turns to paranormal investigators, for help with the unexplainable events that are taking place at their home. Depaolo Hall is an iconic building featured as a backdrop to their conversation. Constructed in 1970, Depaoloa Hall originally served as a cafeteria before being turned into a general-purpose use building and renamed Westside Hall because of its geographic location on campus. The scene was filmed during spring break in March 2012, with production team members scouting different areas in Wilmington to get the perfect shot. Other portions of UNCW also made their way into The Conjuring 2013, such as Lumina Theater in downtown Wilmington. To get to this location on the UNCW campus, take Franklin Street from downtown Wilmington, which leads directly onto College Road and runs through UNWC's main gates. Once inside, visitors will find DePaolo Hall, located at the eastern edge of campus near Wagoner Drive and College Road.
Father Gordon and the Warrens meet to discuss the possibility of an exorcism scene in The Conjuring
411 Market St. Wilmington, NC. 28401, USA
Bathsheba attacks Nancy (Hayley McFarland), and the incident is recorded on camera. The Warrens believe that the footage provides ample evidence to seek permission from the Catholic Church to conduct an exorcism. However, Father Gordon (Steve Coulter) clarifies that since the Perron family is not affiliated with the Church, authorization to perform the exorcism would have to come directly from the Vatican. The scene where Father Gordon and the Warrens meet to discuss the matter was shot at the First Baptist Church of Wilmington located at 411 Market Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. The church is old and dusty, with large stained glass windows that dimly lit the room. There are wooden pews and a small altar at the front.
The church still stands today, after being established in 1808 as the Front Street Baptist Church, which later changed to First Baptist Church after starting several other churches in Wilmington. If you're coming from Wilmington, take Oleander Dr and turn right onto S 17th St. Then take a left on Market St and a right on N 5th Ave. Keep going straight until you arrive at 411 Market Street. The First Baptist Church will be on your left. If taking public transportation, there are bus stops along Delaware Avenue with various bus lines servicing it; take any bus headed northbound towards downtown Wilmington then disembark at Market Street stop. From there, you can walk down Market Street until you reach 411, where you will find First Baptist Church on your left-hand side.
The Perron family takes refuge at a motel scene in The Conjuring
2916 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
The scene where the Perron family takes refuge at a motel is unforgettable. As supernatural forces wreak havoc on their home, the Perron family is forced to flee and seek safety in a nearby motel. This scene is particularly chilling as it establishes that no matter how hard they try, there is no escape from the demonic forces that have infiltrated their lives. Set at the Carolinian Inn in Wilmington, North Carolina, this scene features striking imagery, the murky darkness of night, and a dated, run-down motel appearance that adds to its horror-filled atmosphere. This location proved to be an ideal setting for creating a sense of eerie suspense and dread for viewers. The Carolinian Inn at 2916 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA served as the backdrop for the motel scenes. Situated in the heart of downtown Wilmington, it provides access to beaches and downtown attractions like restaurants and museums. It’s just a short drive or taxi ride from any major airport or train station in North Carolina. You can also take advantage of public transportation options, such as bus or light rail services which make stops near The Carolinian Inn.
Ed attempts the exorcism scene in The Conjuring
1223 N 23rd St, Wilmington, NC 28405, USA
The final scene takes place in the cellar of the cursed home. Ed, Lorraine, and Brad (John Brotherton) find Carolyn with a knife raised over Christine's (Joey King) body, threatening her life. Lorraine warns them that if they take Carolyn outside, Bathsheba will kill her, so they tie Carolyn to a chair, and Ed attempts the exorcism himself. Lorraine can call Carolyn back by bringing up a unique shared memory with her family. This helps Ed complete the exorcism and send Bathsheba's curse back to Hell, despite Carolyn's earlier attempt to escape. The scene was filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios at 1223 N 23rd St, Wilmington. This particular studio was founded in 1965 and is an American film and television production company that offers tours for those interested in visiting the site where many famous films have been shot. To get there, drive or take a bus to 1223 N 23rd St., Wilmington, NC 28405. You can also fly to Wilmington International Airport (ILM), which is only a few minutes away by car or taxi. From there, you need to rent a car or take a cab or bus ride directly to the studio.
Conclusion
The Conjuring is a haunted-house movie that effectively creates a feeling of dread while showing minimal blood. The story is based on true case files and follows a family of seven who moved into a Rhode Island farmhouse in 1971 only to experience a nightmare. According to CinemaScore, audiences rated The Conjuring an "A-" on a scale from A to F. This makes it the first horror film to receive an A rating from the company. As per Sheri Linden's review in The Hollywood Reporter, the movie features minimal digital effects, outstanding design work, and empathetic performances. The film follows themes and techniques comparable to The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror. Nevertheless, it lacks the emotional impact and depth of the former but surpasses the latter in sheer cinematic allure. The script of The Conjuring was well-thought-out and crafted with great attention to detail. It combined elements of suspense and horror that kept the viewer on edge throughout the movie. With twists, turns, and surprises, it provided an entertaining, unpredictable, yet plausible narrative. The performances by all cast members were remarkable, particularly Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren. She showed strength and courage while conveying fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Her portrayal was captivating and brought the character to life. The Conjuring revolutionized the horror genre by introducing new techniques such as filming from multiple angles, playing with light and shadow to build suspense, and utilizing sound effects to create tension. These techniques made it one of the most memorable movies in modern horror movies. Whether you’re a fan of horror movies or not, The Conjuring is worth watching for its incredible cinematography, acting performances, gripping plot line, and innovative use of cinematic techniques that have set it apart from other horror films released around the same time.