The strange connection between Ryan Gosling and ‘The Conjuring’
Ed and Lorraine Warren have risen to prominence in the horror scene, with their infamous cases inspiring The Conjuring series, injecting heart and depth into the chilling tales. Surprisingly, however, not many know about the link between the first movie and Ryan Gosling, whose presence appears at a crucial moment in the story.
Released in 2013, James Wan’s supernatural masterpiece revolved around the harrowing events of the Perron family, who experienced terrifying paranormal occurrences after moving into a farmhouse in Rhode Island. As the family struggles to cope with increasingly sinister and unexplainable events, they seek the help of the Warrens, who discover that the home is haunted by a malevolent entity with a dark history.
Contemporary horrors often get their share of harsh critics. Still, The Conjuring achieved a difficult feat by gaining widespread acclaim, proving that, with the right filmmaker, a talented cast, and a genuinely interesting story to tell, modern horror could still have an edge. Moreover, the movie’s success led to the development of a successful horror franchise, including sequels, spin-offs, and prequels, all set within the same cinematic universe.
While Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ has been intensely connected to the franchise due to Ed Warren’s heartfelt performance in The Conjuring 2, another song from the first movie’s soundtrack perfectly matched its alternative vibe. That was Dead Man’s Bones’ eerie track ‘In The Room Where You Sleep’, which played during a pivotal moment in the story.
In quite possibly the best needle drop of all time, the song captures the essence of the film in more ways than one. Its psychedelic arrangements and muffled vocals utter, “You better run, you better hide” as the Warrens and their team prepare to capture evidence of the evil that lurks inside the Perron family’s home.
The lyrics are spoken by Gosling, who co-founded Dead Man’s Bones in the 2000s after he and Zach Shields realised their shared love for the macabre. Penning love stories about ghosts and ghouls became their focus, and they dropped their self-titled debut album in 2009. There’s something fitting about The Conjuring teaming up with such a band, after all. The film tells the horrific tale of a relentless haunting, but the movie almost looks upon the macabre as something to romanticise.
The Warrens contribute to this with their eternal love, the dialogue between the pair often reminding the viewers that they are the ultimate partners in crime. This is the central message of Dead Man’s Bones: love is found when life is at its most gothic when you’re surrounded by ghosts.
