Movies

The Shocking Truth Behind The Woman Who Inspired The Exorcist Horror Classic

BBG News

Discussing it, the real-life exorcism case involving Emma Schmidt (also known as Anna Ecklund and Mary X) is certainly fascinating, given its influence on William Friedkin’s iconic 1973 horror movie The Exorcist. However, the veracity of the religious elements in the narrative remains debatable.

In theaters now is “The Ritual”, a film that claims to be inspired by real events – the exorcism of Schmidt, which occurred at a remote convent near Earling, Iowa in late 1928. In this movie, David Midell (known for “NightLights” and “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain”) portrays Schmidt’s struggles as signs of demonic possession instead of mental health issues or other factors. This choice makes the film a suspenseful exploration of faith, even though a final title card acknowledges that some question this storyline.

In the movie “The Ritual,” while Schmidt (portrayed by Abigail Cowen, who was actually younger than her character during the depicted events) serves as the main character, the narrative primarily focuses on the dynamic tension between two Catholic clergy members: Father Joseph Steiger (played by Dan Stevens) and Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino). Father Steiger is grappling with a crisis of faith after his brother’s suicide, contrasting sharply with Father Riesinger, who is an ardent supporter, albeit somewhat controversial, of exorcism rituals.

The primary emphasis on the two main characters in “The Ritual” might stem from the fact that, as Midell detailed in a video he posted on Instagram in April, the film is adapted from a 1935 booklet titled “Begone Satan!”. It’s reasonable to infer that since this account of Schmidt’s case was compiled by the Catholic Church, it likely presented the story from its unique perspective.

What happened to Emma Schmidt?

As a fervent believer, I can attest that “The Ritual” faithfully follows the standard pattern of exorcism horror narratives, as it recounts Schmidt’s harrowing tale. In this story, Schmidt displays a peculiar loathing for sacred items, utters profanities, erupts in fits of uncontrollable wrath, spews vile substances, and clings to walls in an otherworldly manner – all signs of demonic possession. Interestingly, Schmidt’s exorcism was one of the last such events officially endorsed by the Catholic Church, which seems to have added to its notorious reputation.

The film suggests that Schmidt, born in 1882, displayed behaviors that were interpreted as possession from the age of 14. These unusual behaviors started after she endured abuse at the hands of her father, who was said to have had inappropriate feelings towards her, and her Aunt Mina, who was rumored to be her father’s lover, a child murderer, and a witch believed to have cast a spell on certain herbs that were mixed into Schmidt’s food. However, it’s crucial to note that during this time period, the term “witch” was often used casually against women who challenged societal norms and expectations.

In 1912, Riesigner carried out an exorcism on Schmidt for the first time. However, Schmidt’s symptoms recurred, driving her to the brink of insanity as depicted by Father Carl Vogl in his booklet “Begone Satan!”. He wrote that she was troubled by sinister inner voices suggesting reprehensible things and trying to arouse shameful thoughts within her. These voices attempted to incite her to do unmentionable acts, even pushing her towards despair. The poor woman felt powerless and secretly believed she might lose her sanity.

Schmidt carried out his final exorcism in three distinct phases, spanning a period of 85 days from August 18th to December 22nd, 1928. Throughout these sessions, Riesinger stated that four separate spirits were controlling her: Judas Iscariot, Beelzebub, her Aunt Mina, and her father.

According to Vogl’s story, during that period, Schmidt seemed to have baffling and otherworldly health issues. However, your viewpoint may hinge on the trust you place in the Church’s narration. It is reported that Riesinger managed to perform an exorcism over three uninterrupted nights and days, which allegedly brought Schmidt some measure of lasting tranquility. Some tales suggest that Schmidt was occasionally tormented by possessions until her passing. Notably, Riesinger gained attention from TIME magazine in 1936 for this incident.

Regarding Midell’s perspective on what happened to Schmidt, as mentioned in the movie’s background information, he expresses a sense of being struck by the scientific and fact-based approaches that many people have taken when dealing with events that appear unexplainable, such as those often associated with the paranormal.

Some people compare exorcisms to Rorschach tests: individuals with a religious background perceive it as a spiritual battle for a person’s soul, whereas those with a scientific bent view it as a mental health issue requiring psychiatric intervention. Regardless of the perspective, one thing is certain – Emma Schmidt was undergoing intense distress, and those who rallied to help her demonstrated great courage and resilience.

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2025-06-06 15:06

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