WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, now in theaters and on HBO Max.
Within the Conjuring Universe, specifically with Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), many of the threats they face are spiritual in nature. While some may be human spirits, others are demons who come to the living world to take lives and wreak havoc. But in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, a new threat emerges that poses both a spiritual and physical threat. With the introduction of the Occultist, Isla (Eugenie Bondurant), the film brings to light that the Warrens will need to be even more skilled in combating the paranormal to gain an edge against future enemies.
When the Warrens are introduced in the first Conjuring film, they are already established paranormal investigators. However, the film's main antagonist, the witch, Bathsheba, is one of the strongest entities they have come across. As such, they nearly fail to save the Perrons due to its strength. Thankfully, Lorraine's powers and Ed's faith send the witch back to hell and save the family.
The sequel later introduces one of the universe's deadliest demonic entities in the Nun. Throughout the film, it teases the Warrens, specifically Lorraine, by giving its name in random places throughout the house. It also projects premonitions of her husband's death. It almost succeeds in making his death a reality had it not been for Lorraine's quick thinking in finding the demon's name in her bible. While it becomes another entity sent back to hell by Warrens, it's clear that their opposition is getting more powerful, and they're far from prepared to handle it.
In The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Isla shows that she can contend with the Warrens in every facet. Not only is she an occultist with vast knowledge of the dark arts, but she is also highly skilled in manipulating these forces. Isla is a member of the Disciples of the Ram, a satanic cult and remnant from the Annabelle series. Even in their early appearances in the franchise, it becomes clear that their strength through faith makes them a formidable threat. Up until now, the Warrens had never encountered the cult. But with Isla being as strong as she is, it's safe to assume that there are others of equal or greater strength.
Some of her skills include being strong enough to curse the Glatzel family and the Warrens, nearly causing Ed to kill Lorraine twice. She also can call forth demons through her curses to possess an innocent soul and force them to commit murder. But her most powerful ability allows her to step through Lorraine's psychic visions. Therefore, her battles can be fought through the spirit, body and mind. Thankfully, the love between the Warrens gives them the strength to succeed. But with Isla's defeat keeping evil at bay for a short time, her presence is a promise of more evils coming in the future.
Even though Isla is beaten, the threats to innocents from the cult and other evil forces are still around and harder to defeat. It will be up to the Warrens to properly prepare themselves and learn as much as possible to stop these dangers. Before, they were only fighting battles on the spiritual plane, but with these enemies crossing over into the physical world, it's clear the Warrens are far from ready.
Directed by Michael Chaves, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It stars Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O'Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook and Julian Hilliard. The film is now in theaters and on HBO Max.