Orion Smith and Madison Lawlor, who play younger versions of Ed and Lorraine Warren in the upcoming film, opened up in a recent interview about their own eerie experiences and didn’t hold back when it came to Rife’s controversial purchase.

Lawlor admitted that although she wasn’t initially afraid of Annabelle, that’s started to change. “Lately, Annabelle has been really getting under my skin,” she said. “She’s been popping up everywhere in the news, and I’m just like, ‘Okay, we see you, Annabelle.’” She quipped, “Guess she knows the movie’s coming out.”

The doll made waves back in May when false reports claimed it had gone missing and was connected to strange events in New Orleans. Then, in July, paranormal investigator Dan Rivera—who had been touring with the doll—passed away unexpectedly at 54. According to reports, Annabelle was not in the same room when he died.

Most recently, comedian Matt Rife announced he had purchased the Warrens’ former home and occult museum, making him the doll’s official keeper for the next five years.

When asked about Rife’s decision, Lawlor replied diplomatically, “It’s his money,” though she admitted she wouldn’t make the same choice. Smith was more direct: “Be careful, man! We’ll see what happens.”

Both actors are excited to join the Conjuring franchise, but they also revealed that strange coincidences began almost immediately during the audition process.

“So many weird little things happened—it felt like signs,” Smith shared. “I was at the gym right before I got the call about the role, and there was an earthquake. The whole building shook. Then, just minutes later, my phone rings. It was director Michael Chaves. It was surreal.”

He also disclosed that he officially signed his contract on the anniversary of Ed Warren’s death. “It felt like things were aligning in a mysterious way,” Smith added.

Once filming began, the odd occurrences didn’t stop. During their very first scene, a door suddenly swung open on its own—while the cameras were rolling. “No one was near it. The whole crew was stunned,” Smith recalled. “We ended up having to block it with a sandbag. It felt like the set was making its presence known.”

Longtime fans of the series, both actors revisited the earlier films to prepare. Smith, who’s often told he resembles Patrick Wilson, had a slight advantage. Lawlor, on the other hand, worked to embody the presence of a young Lorraine Warren. “It wasn’t as obvious a fit,” she admitted, “so I had to really show I could become her.”

The two finally met during an intense three-hour callback over Zoom. After being cast, they had the opportunity to work directly with Wilson and Farmiga, who offered guidance and encouragement.

“They were incredibly generous,” Lawlor said. “Vera told me, ‘Make this your own. Don’t hold back.’ She really empowered me to put my own stamp on Lorraine.”

Smith shared a similar experience: “Patrick was so supportive. He told me, ‘Just do your thing—you’ve got this.’ It meant everything coming from him.”

Though they haven’t seen the final cut yet, both agree that working on a horror film gave them a new respect for the genre. “There’s a real artistry to horror—a rhythm and technical precision that’s often overlooked,” Lawlor reflected.

As for whether they’d return for more films set in the Conjuring universe? Absolutely.

“Just being part of this world is a dream,” Smith said. “If there’s more to tell, I’m totally in.”

Lawlor agreed: “This whole experience has been incredible. I would love to keep exploring this role.”

The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives in theaters on September 5.