Patrick Wilson Reflects on Dan Rivera’s Passing Amid Final Conjuring Film Release
Hi there! I’m Quinn Parker, and if you’re ready for a whirlwind of thoughts faster than a double espresso on a Monday morning, then buckle up! So, here’s the deal: Patrick Wilson, the man who brought Ed Warren to life in *The Conjuring* universe, recently shared his thoughts on the unexpected passing of Dan Rivera, the expert behind Annabelle the haunted doll. And honestly? It’s giving *a lot* to unpack.
Let’s rewind for a sec. Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator and member of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR)—founded by the real-life Warrens back in the ’50s—died suddenly in late July while overseeing a cross-country tour featuring Annabelle. Yes, *that* Annabelle. The infamous Raggedy Ann doll that launched a thousand nightmares and an entire cinematic universe. And just weeks before the release of *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, which marks Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s final performances as the Warrens? Spooky? Maybe. Coincidence? Probably. But Wilson isn’t buying into any supernatural theories.
When asked by E! News about whether Rivera’s death could be tied to Annabelle’s supposed curse, Wilson stayed grounded. “I think anytime something happens in real life—I never sensationalize it. There’s a lot of unexplained things,” he said. And honestly, that’s the kind of grounded wisdom we need in a world full of TikTok séances and ghost-hunting influencers.
Wilson and Farmiga have been synonymous with the Warrens since 2013, when *The Conjuring* kicked off the franchise with—you guessed it—Annabelle’s creepy backstory. Rivera’s role in the paranormal community was no small thing either. As a member of NESPR, he was deeply tied to the legacy of the Warrens, whose real-life investigations inspired the films. So when he passed, it hit a little too close to home.
And speaking of home, the final film in the trilogy, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, is based on the Smurl family haunting—a real-life case from the ‘70s and ‘80s where a Pennsylvania family claimed to be tormented by supernatural forces. It’s the kind of eerie, real-world horror that made the franchise a hit, and it serves as a fitting sendoff for the Warrens on screen.
But don’t expect any dramatic, tear-filled goodbye between Wilson and Farmiga. According to the actress, their final moments together on set were anything but cinematic. “There was no big, grand farewell between him and me. It was pretty unceremonious,” she admitted. “We [looked] like zombies. We kind of just blinked at each other and he left.” Classic. Exhaustion over drama every time.
So what’s next? *The Conjuring: Last Rites* hits theaters September 5, and if you’re looking for more spooky (or not-so-spooky) flicks to add to your fall watchlist, here’s what’s coming soon: *Weapons* starring Josh Brolin, *Freakier Friday* with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, *Highest 2 Lowest* from Denzel Washington and Spike Lee, *The Map That Leads To You* with KJ Apa and Madelyn Cline, *Honey Don’t!* featuring Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, and Ron Howard’s survival thriller *Eden* with Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney.
Whew! That was a LOT to process!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News
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