Movies - The Ritual: A Chilling Descent into America's Most Documented Exorcism

By Mulder, 29 april 2025

When The Ritual opens in UK and Irish cinemas on May 30th and in United States June 6, audiences will be ushered into one of the most unnerving corners of American religious folklore, brought to life with the gravitas of Al Pacino and the unsettling tension of Dan Stevens. Directed by David Midell, who previously stunned with The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, this film tackles what is widely regarded as the most extensively documented exorcism case in U.S. history—the 1928 possession and subsequent exorcisms of Emma Schmidt. The production leans heavily into the authentic details of this historical case, not to sensationalize, but to immerse viewers in the psychological terror and spiritual crisis that gripped the Catholic Church at the time. This isn’t your typical jump-scare horror fare; it’s a deeply layered drama with horror underpinnings, exploring the fine line between divine intervention and personal torment.

At the center of this dramatic storm is Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger, a German-born Capuchin priest known in real life for performing the exorcism of Emma Schmidt. Pacino, now in his 80s, delivers a performance brimming with a world-weary wisdom and fury, evoking echoes of his past roles but channeling something entirely new—something spiritually broken but fiercely committed. His character is haunted by more than demons; he’s grappling with a church that has lost its moral clarity and a world descending into chaos. Opposite him, Dan Stevens (fresh from his villainous role in Abigail) replaces the initially cast Ben Foster and brings a tight-lipped intensity to Father Joseph Steiger, a younger priest with a past he can’t shake. The tension between these two men—one hardened by faith, the other unsure of it—is the film’s beating heart. Their reluctant collaboration forms the emotional backbone of The Ritual, offering not just theological debate but raw, human confrontation.

Director David Midell and co-writer Enrico Natale approach this true story with reverence and restraint. Filmed in Natchez, Mississippi, the Southern Gothic atmosphere bleeds through every frame thanks to cinematographer Adam Biddle’s stark palette and shadow-laden imagery. The scenes inside the exorcism chamber are claustrophobic, echoing William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, but with a quieter, more psychological menace. The decision to cast Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt was a masterstroke—she delivers a portrayal that is both vulnerable and ferociously physical, her transformation never descending into parody. Cowen, known for her roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Fate: The Winx Saga, sheds her previous persona entirely here, embodying a character whose torment feels painfully real. Ashley Greene, best known from The Twilight Saga, and Patricia Heaton also make grounded contributions in supporting roles that never feel throwaway.

Musically, composers Jason Lazarus and Joseph Trapanese weave a score that pulses with dread but is layered with mournful tones, emphasizing the spiritual decay at the story’s core. Their soundtrack is more than background noise; it’s a character in itself, subtly guiding the emotional rhythm of the film. And the editing, helmed by Natale, keeps the pacing tight—despite the film’s 98-minute runtime, it feels dense with detail and atmosphere. What’s striking is how Midell opts not for gore or flashy visual effects, but for slow, suffocating dread that builds with every prayer uttered and every sleepless night the priests endure.

What elevates The Ritual beyond its terrifying premise is its commitment to grappling with belief—not just in God or the Devil, but in oneself, in redemption, and in the thin line between sanity and possession. The film is set not in a haunted house or a cursed village, but in the very real, often disillusioning spaces of spiritual crisis. It draws from the real transcripts, letters, and journals tied to the Emma Schmidt case, creating an eerie sense of authenticity. For those familiar with the actual events, the film’s accuracy will feel both satisfying and deeply disturbing. For others, it will serve as an introduction to one of the darkest chapters in American religious history—one that is stranger than fiction.

The backstory of the production adds another fascinating layer. Initially slated for an Easter weekend release in April 2025—a daring move considering the subject matter—it was later pushed to June 6 in the U.S., perhaps to avoid controversy but also to let the film breathe outside of theological holidays. The casting shuffle that saw Dan Stevens step in for Ben Foster might have been seen as a disruption, but in retrospect, it feels like a blessing. Stevens’ calculated control and visible internal struggle elevate the film’s emotional stakes. And then there’s Al Pacino—a legend who could have coasted on legacy roles but instead dives into a character who is both larger-than-life and heartbreakingly human. Watching him face off against invisible forces and his own doubts is worth the ticket alone.

With distribution in the UK by Altitude, in the U.S. by XYZ Films, and a French release via KMBO on August 6, The Ritual is clearly being positioned as a global horror event—but it’s more than that. It’s a horror film for adults, for thinkers, for those who understand that the scariest things aren’t always monsters or ghouls, but what we believe—or don’t believe—lurking inside ourselves. As its release approaches, expect The Ritual to spark conversation, debate, and sleepless nights. It may be rooted in the past, but its questions about faith, fear, and sacrifice are timeless.

Synopsis :
Two priests—one questioning his faith and the other facing his past—must put aside their differences to save a young woman possessed through exorcisms.

The Ritual
Directed by David Midell
Written by Enrico Natale, David Midell
Produced by Andrew Stevens, Ross Kagan Marks, Mitchell Welch, Enrico Natale
Starring Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, Abigail Cowen
Cinematography : Adam Biddle
Edited by Enrico Natale
Music by Jason Lazarus, Joseph Trapanese
Production companies : Andrew Stevens Entertainment, Cinemachineshop
Distributed by XYZ Films (United States), Altitude (UK), KMBO (France)
Release date : May 30, 2025 (UK), June 6, 2025 (United States), August 6, 2025 (France)
Running time : 98 minutes