In The Conjuring films, a subtle fashion detail is easy to brush off as cute. However, it actually says a lot about the Warrens’ relationship.
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, now in theaters and on HBO Max.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It marks the Warrens’ third feature-length adventure in The Conjuring Universe. The film steps away from the couple’s usual haunted house projects to a criminal investigation and occult meddling. Ed and Lorrain Warren’s relationship has revealed more layers with each Conjuring installment. The Devil Made Me Do It further cements the idea that the Warrens’ love conquers all — even evil. As such, the creators drove the message home by slipping in a subtle fashion detail that most fans probably missed.
After The Devil Made Me Do It‘s release, a Twitter user pointed out that Ed and Lorraine’s outfits frequently match. In most cases, Ed’s tie is synced with Lorraine’s skirt or blouse. The post includes four pictures as evidence, spanning from 2013’s The Conjuring to the most recent installment. It’s a sly detail that, at first glance, can be brushed off as cute. However, the Warrens clothes are more than a fashion statement — they’re symbolic of their relationship.
Given The Conjuring films are based on the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, it’s no surprise the movies focus on their marriage. The trilogy has developed into a love story with the horror elements playing a supporting role. The first film, The Conjuring, laid the groundwork. While investigating the Perrons’ haunting, Lorrain refuses to leave Ed’s side, even when circumstances become dangerous. In turn, Ed worries about Lorrain after she has a vision so terrible, she locks herself in her room for over a week.
Ed’s concerns carry over into The Conjuring 2 and The Devil Made Me Do It. Lorraine is the one with psychic powers, and every time she has a vision, it takes a little piece of her. Ed knows this, and because he cannot help in the spiritual realm, he throws himself into physical danger to protect his wife. However, in The Devil Made Me Do It, Ed’s health problem limits his heroics. As such, Lorraine takes on the majority of the heavy lifting to keep him safe, much to Ed’s dismay.
Overall, it shows the couple’s willingness to step up, even if it means putting their own lives in jeopardy. It’s also their faith in each other that allows them to overtake each evil entity that seems hellbent on tearing them apart. The Devil Made Me Do It spotlights this best in its climax. After the Occultist corrupts Ed, he hunts down Lorraine with a sledgehammer. With Lorraine cornered by her now-murderous husband, she gets through to him by having him recall their love — symbolized by a gazebo. Much like a fairytale, true love breaks his trance.
While the Warrens matching clothing seems like a simple stylistic choice, it’s really so much more. It symbolizes their unbreakable bond. Their material connection represents their emotional one. In actuality, it’s the Warrens’ love and faith that triumph over the supernatural, not necessarily their skills. With that in mind, small details like matching outfits greatly impact the film’s theme and those invested in the Warrens.
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.
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