The Ritual

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The Ritual

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1h 38m

Horror

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63 Reviews

62%

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100+ Ratings

Based on true events, The Ritual follows two priests -- one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) -- who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.

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Critics Consensus

The Ritual purportedly presents a real occult occurrence, but the most blasphemous thing about it may be wasting Al Pacino's talents on a clichéd story with uninspired execution.

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Audience Says

A realistic portrayal of the exorcism of Emma Schmidt, The Ritual may please possession horror devouts and expel those seeking sleeker entries in the genre.

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

It’s not improbability that dooms this Al Pacino-headlined genre throwaway but a crushing lack of originality and a form that makes its clichés even harder to swallow.

Jun 15, 2025

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

I guess you could even say the devil is indeed in the details that this film puts on the back burner.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 11, 2025

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Sergio Burstein

Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, this is a work that could be useful for viewers fascinated by its subject matter, although others will find little offered in terms of horror and entertainment value. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 9, 2025

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Murjani Rawls

Substream Magazine

The film serves as a completionist manual for those who may have an inkling of the actual story that inspired a wildly popular subgenre of horror. Otherwise, the sums of its parts are out of time and ten steps behind the path it helped to pave.

Jun 16, 2025

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Well, I finally saw a film shot and edited worse than “A Working Man” (2025), which is a low bar.

Jun 14, 2025

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Abhishek Srivastava

The Times of India

‘The Ritual,’ directed by David Midell, delivers competent performances across the board, and the sincerity of its cast is never in doubt. However, the film remains largely pedantic and struggles to truly terrify.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jun 13, 2025

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Josh L

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. This movie is really more of a realistic ‘docu-style’ recreation of the actual exorcism itself and the 6 day journey of experiences and the psychological and spiritual impact it had on those involved, than it is some typical ‘horror’ style popcorn film . Al Pacino gives a really great performance here that’s nuanced and grounded and he brought a real sense of spiritual humanity to the real life character. Dan and the rest of the cast are really great as well. The movie wasn’t really scary, but more sad actually because of the pain and suffering Emma went thru. It’s also worthy to note that this film and the writing really focused more on the spiritual aspect of the events and God’s true power over evil and how important faith really is in all of our lives. The shaky cam style photography isn’t my favorite, but it serves the docu-style look that the director clearly was going for.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

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Elaine

A true event that wakes you up to the powers and principalities of this world.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

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Jennifer

Fantastic film, true to Catholic faith as well

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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christopher b

This film was genericAF. I’d like to know why films like this even get made. Do these generic films appeal to religious folks?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

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Brian

Very well done. Not as over sensationalized as most of the other exorcism films that have been made. The film was intense throughout. The power of Faith came through in the film. God always wins in the end. Christ is King!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Jay

It’s was good. Just wanted it to be a longer film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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David Midell

Director

Al Pacino

Father Theophilus Riesinger

Dan Stevens

Father Joseph Steiger

Ashley Greene

Sister Rose

Abigail Cowen

Emma Schmidt

Maria Camila Giraldo

Sister Camila

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The Ritual: Trailer 1

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The Ritual: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Based on true events, The Ritual follows two priests -- one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) -- who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.

Director: David Midell
Producer: Andrew Stevens, Mitchell Welch, Ross Marks, Enrico Natale
Screenwriter: David Midell
Distributor: XYZ Films
Production Co: Andrew Stevens Entertainment, Cinemachine Shop, Redbird Entertainment
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 2025, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $514.0K
Runtime: 1h 38m

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