Forget fiction, The Ritual dives headfirst into the real-life horror story that reportedly inspired The Exorcist. Directed by David Midell, the upcoming film stars Al Pacino and Dan Stevens as two priests drawn into a spiritual battle based on the infamous 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt. It’s a slice of demonic history lifted straight from Carl Vogl’s controversial book Begone Satan!, now given the full cinematic treatment.
Pacino plays Father Theophilus Riesinger, a veteran clergyman whose steely conviction contrasts sharply with Stevens’ Father Joseph Steiger, a younger priest grappling with skepticism. It’s a dynamic that echoes the classic pairing of Fathers Merrin and Karras — only this time, it’s rooted in documented events. “We are the Lord’s army in this battle,” Pacino’s Riesinger warns in the trailer, while Stevens counters with medical doubt: “What if what she really needs is a doctor?”
While the trailer leans into familiar tropes, creaking beds, thrashing limbs, and infernal voices included, the strength lies in its cast. Pacino’s presence brings gravitas to any role, and Stevens, no stranger to horror after The Guest and Abigail, looks equally committed. Together, they guide the story’s clash between faith and reason, tradition and doubt.
Abigail Cowan plays Emma Schmidt, the woman at the centre of the storm, with Patricia Heaton and Ashley Greene rounding out the supporting cast. How close the film sticks to the historical account we’re unsure but what we are sure of is it looks to provide the cinematic jolts that genre fans expect.
According to the official synopsis, “When the Church sanctions the exorcism of Emma Schmidt, two priests divided by doubt must confront a force beyond comprehension and their own faith.” — The Ritual seems less interested in jump scares and more focused on the psychological toll.
Whether or not it will match the staying power of The Exorcist remains to be seen. But if the film lives up to its cast and concept, The Ritual could offer a grounded, unnerving take on the genre. The Ritual arrives in UK cinemas on 30 May. In the US, it received a limited release on 18 April, with a wider rollout expected on 6 June. Check out the trailer below.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
You may also like
-
Why Simon Pegg Will Never Resurrect ‘Shaun Of The Dead’
-
‘John Wick 5’ Update Offers Hope for Keanu Reeves’ Future in the Franchise
-
‘Mad Max: The Wasteland’ Still Happening? Tom Hardy Says Things are Being “Discussed”
-
Alex Garland to Direct Live-Action ‘Elden Ring’ Movie for A24
-
Sydney Sweeney Says Her ‘Barbarella’ Remake Is Coming Together Just Don’t Expect It for Awhile Yet