The word "conjuring" is not commonly used, so it may not be familiar, but it means "to cast a spell, to summon" in English.

Perhaps that's why the Conjuring film series deals with summoning some unseen presence and the events that unfold as a result.

Starting with the first film released in 2013, the Conjuring series has consistently captured the hearts of horror movie fans worldwide by telling stories based on the true experiences of the Warren couple.

When the news of this fourth film's opening came out, to be honest, I, as a male fan in my 30s, couldn't help but feel excited.

Because it continues the story of a family within the larger narrative of the "Conjuring Universe" rather than just focusing on scary scenes.

This film particularly takes the prologue back to 1964, where the story begins with Lorraine and Ed Warren, who are still expecting Judy, receiving a request at an antique shop.

The client runs an antique shop inherited from his father after he committed suicide and claims to feel as if someone is watching him when he is alone.

Following this, the Warrens investigate the warehouse, where they encounter a "full-length mirror with three angel faces carved into it." When Lorraine touches it, the mirror cracks, and with a vision, sudden labor pains hit, leading directly to a hospital scene.

The childbirth scene seems to be one of the most intense moments in this film.

A shadow of an evil spirit appears from the hospital ceiling, and a blackout occurs, causing Lorraine to be overwhelmed with the fear of losing her child. However, the child ultimately survives and cries, bringing tears of joy to the couple.

This moment, where horror and miracles intersect, shows that Conjuring is not just a simple "jump scare" movie.

Time passes to 1986. This film depicts the Warrens living after retirement, giving lectures, but the students take their stories lightly. Responses like "How is this different from Ghostbusters?" evoke a bittersweet feeling as the weight of a couple who once dominated an era seems to have faded. However, with the appearance of Judy, now an adult, a new development hinting at generational continuity emerges.

Looking back briefly at the Conjuring series, the first film focused on the "Annabelle doll" and the "Harrisville farmhouse incident," while the second film centered on the supernatural events that occurred in Enfield, England.

The third film expanded the stage by dealing with a murder case and a legal battle based on the true story of "The Devil Made Me Do It." This fourth installment seems to connect the family story of the Warrens with the existence of another evil spirit.

The reason I love this series is simple. It shows fear alongside family love and faith.

This film, with the item of a mirror, the human event of childbirth, and the element of generational change, seems to provide a feeling of a drama that deals with both life and death rather than just being a simple horror film.

Personally, this fourth film holds deep significance as it goes beyond just a horror experience, being a "family story" that ties the entire series together.

When we think of horror films, we often focus solely on jump scares or creepy ghost appearances, but Conjuring has never lost sight of the keyword "family." This prologue also showcases the human side of the Warrens by intertwining the birth of life and the crisis of death.

Moreover, there are various speculations among fans about how much of this work is based on true events and what the identity of the new evil spirit is.

The mirror, as a medium, likely symbolizes something beyond a mere object, and I am curious about how it will connect to the future developments of the series.

This fourth film seems to stand at the pinnacle of that. A work where chilling yet tearful moments intersect.

I am confident that it will be an experience that horror movie fans cannot miss.