"The Conjuring" drew $US41.5 million ($A45.43 million) in U.S. ticket sales, as estimated over the weekend. It bumped off "Despicable Me 2," which was the box office leader for three weeks. On rottentomatoes.com, the movie got 84% and 89% ratings, from the critics and the general audience, respectively. IMDB.com gave it 8.1 out of 10. If you must watch a horror film in 2013, it looks like this film should be the one.

So how scary is The Conjuring, really? Here is Warner Bros' official synopsis, as seen on rottentomatoes.com:

Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. "The Conjuring" tells the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga), world renowned paranormal investigators, who were called to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives.

"What audiences really want to know about "The Conjuring" is just how scary it actually is -- which just so happens to be very scary," writes Kate Erbland of MSN Movies.
"The film is both well acted and skillfully directed, but more importantly, The Conjuring is one of the scariest movies in years," says Andrew Shuster of filmonic.com.

Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston are strongly believable. They are able to draw sympathies in their roles as the terrified parents, Carolyn and Roger Perron. The Livingstons have five young girls, 7 to 16 years old -- all affected by the paranormal activities in their new house. Think Amityville Horror (which also involves Ed and Lorraine Warren) plus The Exorcist, and multiply the result by three. James Wan directed The Conjuring. His previous films include "Saw" and "Insidious."

Perhaps much of the heightened fright comes from the brilliant set design, directing, and acting combination. Or maybe it's because legit horror films have been hard to come by lately, so viewers have come to expect less.

Moviegoers who saw The Conjuring are sharing their own reviews and post-viewing tales on the film's Facebook page.

"Wife had bad dreams from the movie. didn't help that I scared the piss out of her today in the basement with the lights off and the clap of the hands," writes Terry Rueckert.

"Saw (The Conjuring) last night. Great acting. The scene with the Warren's daughter and the Annabelle doll was the scariest," writes KieraRose Hensley.

VIDEO: The Conjuring Official Main Trailer [HD] by WarnerBrosPictures on YouTube

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