The Conjuring's use of tension, atmosphere, and suggestion prove that the scariest thing to an audience has nothing to do with what you see, but what you don't.

Wan uses every horror cliche with blithe confidence. He knows no one is immune if the effects are sturdily built, and not too literal.

The trailer for The Conjuring is scarier than most horror features of recent vintage, and the feature makes good on the promise.

While the early claims of this being one of the scariest movies of all time may be a little forced, it does sit high up on the shelf.