Latest news with #Conjuring
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Murky history of Annabelle Doll revealed as comedian takes custody of 'most haunted' toy
Controversial TikTok comedian Matt Rife has caused a stir online after taking guardianship of one of the world's spookiest dolls. But why is TikTok so petrified? In one of 2025's most unexpected crossovers, TikTok comedian Matt Rife has taken custody over one of America's most 'haunted' dolls: the Annabelle Doll. Arguably best known (he claims to his own chagrin) for his classic pretty-boy looks, Matt Rife has been described by some on social media as leaning into a 'frat boy' persona. Over recent years, he's caused his fair share of controversy online, so the Internet was shocked when he announced his new guardianship of one of the paranormal world 's most talked about curiosities, after buying Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum. The large red-nosed round-faced Raggedy Ann toy may not look like anything special to the uninitiated eye, but it's been paraded around the US over the past few months to a lot of curious (and terrified) onlookers. The reason? It's believed to house an evil entity that seeks to possess people, and has even been the inspiration behind the famous Conjuring movies. Unsurprisingly, the tour sparked an intense reaction online, with many fearful over the consequences of releasing the doll from its cage and others accusing the handler Dan Riviera of exploiting superstition. Last month, Dan Riviera was found dead in his hotel room, further igniting rumours of the doll's capabilities. Of course, the paranormal sceptics among you might be rolling your eyes. But the fears around the doll aren't completely unfounded. Strange occurrences have been reported to have happened around it and many have been left unexplained. But what are the origins behind it? And why is TikTok's paranormal community so on edge? The story of Annabelle dates back to 1968, according to a timeline from the New England Society for Psychic Research, when a Raggedy Ann doll was gifted to a nursing student. She then brought back to an apartment which she shared with a roommate. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. The pair later 'noticed strange occurrences with the doll' before a medium told them it was 'inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle,' according to the website. The roommates reportedly 'tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it' but instead were met with 'maliciousness and violent intent.' This is when Ed and Lorraine Warren were called. The couple had made a name for themselves as paranormal investigators and took possession of the doll, which they kept encased within a glass box. According to the New England Society for Psychic Research, the Warren's 'came to the immediate conclusion that the doll itself was not in fact possessed but manipulated by an inhuman presence… Truly, the spirit was not looking to stay attached to the doll, it was looking to possess a human host.' Since the Devils on the Run tour began in May, paranormal enthusiasts have claimed the doll has been linked to strange happenings. Most notably, the doll was rumoured to have disappeared while stopping in New Orleans – the same week that a fire blazed through a nearby plantation and 10 prisoners escaped from a jail. A TikTok video has since gone viral pointing out that appears the Annabelle doll is staring at Matt Rife with a demonic red glint in its eye. 'Jaw dropped. That's a nope from me,' one said. 'He is in danger,' a second wrote. Not everyone is scared on the comedian's behalf, though. Some have their own theories about why he has bought Warren's paranormal home: 'He's been cancelled so he's trying to do something to capture people's attention again.' Another commenter added: 'The man's already possessed by the spirit of fragile masculinity.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Buzz Feed
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Matt Rife Is The Guardian Of The Annabelle Doll
Annabelle has a new babysitter! Comedian Matt Rife just announced that he and YouTuber Elton Castee purchased the home of Ed and Lorraine Warren. According to his video, Matt said he is now "the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years" of the Warrens' "haunted collection," which includes the seemingly haunted Annabelle doll. Ed and Lorraine were paranormal investigators depicted in the Conjuring franchise by actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. The pair founded the Warren Occult Museum where they housed the allegedly haunted artifacts from their investigations. "We do not legally own the items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items," Matt said, adding that fans will have a chance to "book a night or weekend" in the Warrens' former home, as an Airbnb. Why on earth anybody in their right mind would want to do that is beyond me. "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted. You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history," Matt wrote in a caption alongside several Instagram photos of Ed and Lorraine. "Ed and Lorain[sic] Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, et…" Annabelle, which was actually a Raggedy Ann doll, was allegedly moving on its own, according to a student nurse in the '70s. The dramatization with Patrick and Vera led to sequels and other movies about the Warrens and their haunted artifacts. In addition to the overnight stays, Matt and Elton plan to open the house for museum tours to learn of the "haunted history" surrounding the area. According to Tony Spera, the son-in-law of Warrens' said that he and his wife still own the doll and the Warrens' other alleged haunted artifacts but are leasing them to Matt and Elton. While the quirky comedian is obviously stoked to take on this project, his fans are rightfully creeped out given the history of the horrors within that house. One person wrote, "DONT TOUCH ANYTHING!! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT TOUCH ANYTHING!!" "RIP buddy. It's been nice knowing ya," another person wrote. "If you disappear randomly we know why," someone else said. Of course, people couldn't help but find the humor in all this. Somebody said, "Would be very funny if he was very clearly actually possessed during his next special. Doing crowd work like 'Does anyone else here love being an evil doll?'" Republican personality Kimberly Klacik randomly said, "He's too hot to risk his life like this. These are ugly people activities." If you've seen Longlegs than you'll get this joke: Other folks expressed concern that this might not be good for the Warrens' legacy and criticized Matt and Elton's involvement. "This makes me so sad for the doll like no way does she want this," one person wrote. Another person said, "Please honor them and don't turn everthign they've built into a joke." "I hope that people who book stays are respectful to the space." And finally, on a good note, someone said, "Congrats on the purchase. I know you guys are gonna resepct all the items that are in there." What are your thoughts about Matt Rife becoming the caretaker of Annabelle and the house of creepy artifacts? Sound off in the comments.
UPI
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Comedian Matt Rife says he bought 'Conjuring' house, occult museum
1 of 4 | Matt Rife says he bought the house and occult museum that belonged to the late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Comedian Matt Rife has announced he bought the Connecticut house and occult museum that belonged to the late Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose paranormal adventures are featured in the Conjuring, Annabelle and Nun horror movies. "I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!!" Rife posted on Instagram, along with a photo of him and Castee posing with the supposedly demonic doll and other photos of the Warrens at home. "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted. You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, et..." Rife said he and Castee plan to open the house for overnight stays and the museum for tours some time in the near future. The Conjuring Universe began in 2013 with The Conjuring and was followed by numerous sequels and spin-offs featuring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Conjuring: Last Rites is set for theatrical release on Sept. 5. Ed died in 2006 and Lorraine died in 2019. The Hollywood Reporter said the house had been open to the public until Lorraine's death, but closed afterwards due to zoning issues.
USA Today
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Comedian Matt Rife reveals he is now caretaker of supposedly haunted Annabelle doll
No joke: Matt Rife may be conjuring up more than laughs. The comedian, 29, announced on Instagram that he and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the former home of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators depicted in the "Conjuring" films. Rife also said he is now "the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years" of the Warrens' "entire haunted collection," including the supposedly haunted Annabelle doll. He shared a photo of himself and Castee posing in front of Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann doll that was alleged to have been possessed in one of the Warrens' most famous cases. "We do not legally own the items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items," Rife said in a video. He added that fans will be able to "book a night or a weekend" in the Warrens' former home. "It will be operated as an (Airbnb)," the comedian wrote in an Instagram comment. All 'The Conjuring' horror movies, ranked (including new sequel 'The Nun 2') "This is the most random hobby ever," he quipped in his video. The case of Annabelle, in which a student nurse alleged the doll was moving on its own, was dramatized in the 2013 horror movie "The Conjuring," starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film spawned a universe of horror movies about the Warrens' other cases and haunted artifacts, including three standalone "Annabelle" films about the doll itself. Fact vs. fiction: How much of 'The Conjuring' craziness is based on real life? (A lot) Tony Spera, the Warrens' son-in-law and co-director of the New England Society for Psychic Research, clarified to that he and his wife Judy still own the Annabelle doll and the Warrens' other supposedly haunted artifacts but are leasing them to Rife and Castee. "We have no plans to ever 'sell' the artifacts," he told the outlet. Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated more than 100 cases during their time as paranormal investigators, according to the New England Society for Psychic Research, the organization they founded. Ed Warren died in 2006, at age 79, while Lorraine Warren died in 2019 at age 92. The latest "Conjuring" film based on their lives, "The Conjuring: Last Rites," is set for release in September.
South China Morning Post
03-08-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
7 books about haunted objects and possessed possessions that will give you the chills
What do you do when one of the most dangerous dolls in paranormal history supposedly suddenly disappears? Said to be demonically possessed and responsible for everything from car accidents to house fires, Annabelle – made famous by real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inspired the Conjuring universe – was recently rumoured to have disappeared while on a paranormal tour of the United States. Was it true? It appears not. But the internet had a collective meltdown about it anyway. Whether you believe the stories or just love a good scare, there is something uniquely disturbing about cursed objects – everyday items like dolls, paintings, cars or furniture that carry more than just sentimental value. They do not have to move or whisper. Nope. Their existence alone is enough to ruin lives. A still from the 2019 film Annabelle Comes Home, based on the real-life Annabelle doll. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures via AP If you are fascinated by haunted heirlooms and possessed playthings, these seven fiction and nonfiction books about cursed objects will scratch that deeply unnerving itch.
