Review: 'The Ritual' - Al Pacino Brings Gravitas to a Familiar Exorcism Tale
- Details
- Category: New Series and Movie Reviews
- Published: Saturday, 07 June 2025 12:32
- Written by Lupe R Haas
THE RITUAL, starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, treads familiar ground in the exorcism genre, but it’s hard not to be entertained by Pacino reciting scripture to a demon. While the film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it offers a few standout moments powered by strong performances and eerie atmosphere.
The Story
Inspired by the real-life 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, the film centers on Father Steiger (Dan Stevens), a skeptical parish priest who agrees to house Emma (Abigail Cowen) and veteran exorcist Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino) at his isolated Iowa convent. Tasked with documenting the harrowing ritual, Steiger becomes a reluctant witness to events that test his beliefs and endurance.
Also starring Patricia Heaton and Ashley Greene, the film assembles a cast of nuns and priests who are slowly consumed—physically and spiritually—by the demonic presence.
Performances
Pacino stands out as Father Theophilus, bringing depth and warmth to a character grounded in faith and experience in exorcisms. His scenes offer the film’s most compelling moments, especially as he comforts the terrified convent with a steady voice and calm presence. His European accent remains consistent, adding to the credibility of the role.
As Emma, Abigail Cowen delivers a committed and unsettling performance as Emma. Though her character’s backstory is mostly told rather than shown, Cowen fully inhabits the role through chilling body language, facial transformations, and a downright unnerving possessed gaze.
Dan Stevens brings nuance to Father Steiger, though the character's disbelief arc feels slightly drawn out. A late-breaking personal revelation attempts to tie things together but arrives too late to leave much impact.
Direction and Tone
Writer-director David Midell shifts the focus from the exorcism spectacle to its emotional toll on the clergy. While that’s an intriguing approach, the supporting characters feel underwritten—serving more as vessels for the demon’s wrath than fully realized people.
The horror leans more into grotesque intensity than psychological scares. Expect scenes heavy on bodily fluids and graphic contortions rather than jump scares or creeping dread.
Final Thoughts
Ticket it or stream it?
While horror films often benefit from the shared tension of a theater, THE RITUAL’s familiar plot and modest scares make it a better fit for streaming. Still, for fans of the genre—or of Pacino—it’s worth a watch for his magnetic performance alone.
THE RITUAL is now playing in theaters.