'The Conjuring' True Story: Family Member and Ghost Hunter Reveal Truth Behind Hit Film
'The Conjuring,' one of the summer's biggest box office hits, is based on a true story.
In the horror film, the Perron family seeks the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), after experiencing frequent supernatural disturbances in their new home.
But how much of this haunted house flick is actually true?
The real Andrea Perron, the eldest of the five daughters, says the movie is a "fair reflection" of the events that took place at her old Rhode Island farmhouse.
In a recent interview with USA Today, Perron and the real Lorraine Warren gave their input on the accuracy of the events depicted in the movie.
In the interview, Perron said that there indeed were many spirits that resided in the house, including some vengeful ones like the spirit depicted in the film. Perron also said that the particular spirit was angry as it viewed her mother as competition when they moved into the house.
When asked why her family didn't move out, Perron said that they were meant to endure their repeated supernatural experiences and share the events with the world.
Both Perron and Warren reinforce the idea that the film is based on facts, but they have conflicting views on the exorcism portrayed in the film.
Warren explains that she and her husband made multiple trips to the home in 1974, but that they never conducted the exorcism shown in the movie. According to Perron, a secret exorcism took place in which her mother levitated in a chair and spoke in tongues.
Neurologist Steven Novella also took part in the interview, providing his skepticism on whether the story is actually true. He mentions that the Warrens can tell a good story, but that there is no legitimacy to their tale that is the basis for "The Conjuring."
Whether the story of the Perrons and the Warrens is fully true or not, there's no arguing that the film has become a huge success.
With a production budget of $20 million, the film has managed to gross $128 million nationwide since its release last month. Aside from being a box office smash, it has also been praised by many critics for its acting and its scares.