| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Ritual |
| Release Date | June 6, 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror / Supernatural / True-Event Exorcism |
| Director | David Midell |
| Writers | David Midell & Enrico Natale |
| Lead Cast | Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Abigail Cowen |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
Story & Premise
The Ritual is based on a real exorcism case from 1928 involving Emma Schmidt (also known by alias Anna Ecklund). The film follows two Catholic priests: Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), an experienced exorcist, and Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens), a younger priest struggling with his faith. When Emma begins exhibiting signs of possession — violent outbursts, speaking unknown languages, physical contortions — her family seeks help from the Church. The film dramatizes their efforts: the exorcism ritual, the spiritual and psychological toll, and how faith and doubt clash as events escalate.
What Works
-
Faith & Authenticity in Concept
Using a true story gives The Ritual a weight that many horror films don’t try. The real-case background offers potential for exploring faith, mental health, and spiritual crisis. -
Strong Cast
Al Pacino brings gravitas to the role of Father Riesinger. Even if the material is flawed, his presence adds moments that feel grounded. Dan Stevens also delivers a decent portrayal of a conflicted priest whose belief is shaken. -
Sufferer’s Humanity
The film tries to illuminate the suffering of Emma (Abigail Cowen) with compassion. The ritual sequences, when well directed, show her torment, not just horror for shock value. The emotional component — the distress, the fear, the long nights of exorcism — works more often than not. -
Economy in Length
At about 98 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. It keeps the runtime manageable, which helps when pacing is uneven.
What Doesn’t Work
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Clichés & Predictability
The film leans heavily on familiar exorcism tropes — vomit, levitation, demons speaking in strange tongues, spiritual confrontation, the skeptical priest, etc. There aren’t many surprises. If you’ve seen exorcism films before, many plot beats will feel recycled. -
Script & Tension Weaknesses
The story doesn’t build tension as steadily as needed. Some scenes drag, with too much back-and-forth between ritual nights and day dialog. The buildup to terrifying moments often lacks sustained dread or atmosphere. -
Character Depth & Development
While Emma’s suffering is central, the supporting characters (especially Father Steiger) don’t always feel fully realized beyond their archetypal roles. The crisis of faith angle is there, but could have been more nuanced. -
Accent / Performance Quirks
One of the more talked-about oddities is Al Pacino’s accent. It’s unconventional, shifts in volume or clarity, and sometimes feels distracting. The intention might have been character, but it pulls the viewer out occasionally. -
Limited Horror Impact
For a horror/exorcism film, The Ritual doesn’t scare as much as it intends. Jump scares and ritual horrors are present, but many feel expected rather than earned. The film isn’t very visceral, and moments that could be deeply unsettling sometimes land flat.
Overall Impression
The Ritual has its heart in the right place: a true case, faith versus doubt, the weight of evil, and the toll of trauma. Its cast carries it through many weak moments. But the film is held back by a weak script, overused genre tropes, and inconsistent atmosphere. It's earnest but not especially inventive. It will likely appeal more to viewers interested in spiritual horror or those who appreciate movies based on true events rather than fans seeking a fresh, scary ride.
Final Verdict
If you’re someone who likes exorcism films and don’t mind the clichés, The Ritual is worth a watch — potentially more for its themes and the performances than for scares. But if you want a horror film that surprises you, pushes boundaries, or gives you something new, this one might disappoint.
Rating: ~ 1.5 out of 5