Movies

“Nearly unwatchable” new horror movie debuts with infamous 0% Rotten Tomatoes rating

BBG News

The new horror film titled “The Ritual” has received a poor rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its initial critical assessments.

In a new film directed by David Midell, we find Dan Stevens from “Downton Abbey” and iconic actor Al Pacino sharing the screen. This captivating tale is based on real events, following a woman who experienced a harrowing series of exorcisms after being accused of demonic possession in 1928.

Stevens and Pacino assume roles as clergymen who need to “set aside their disagreements” to perform a challenging and risky sequence of exorcisms, with the ultimate goal of rescuing a woman.

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Joining the lineup are actresses such as Abigail Cowen from “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” Ashley Greene known for “Twilight,” and Patricia Heaton, famously recognized from “Everybody Loves Raymond.

Based on the initial feedback, it appears that the movie titled “The Ritual” might not be worth watching despite its stellar ensemble. At present, it has garnered a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 10 reviews, with Next Best Picture describing it as an almost unbearable viewing experience that is a cauldron of every horror cliché imaginable.

Here’s what some of the other critics have been saying:

Collider

Writing this may be tough, but let me tell you, “The Ritual” is likely to rank among the least successful films for both Al Pacino and Dan Stevens – a fact that stands out even against Pacino’s less-than-stellar film “Jack and Jill.

Little White Lies

Despite sticking to the truth, albeit deviating from actual historical events, the story in The Ritual falls short when it comes to frightening, amusing, or converting its audience.

The Guardian

In a less typical, subdued manner, Al Pacino appears to not be giving the role his full seriousness during the phone call.

AV Club

Initially, “The Ritual” aspires to be more than a mediocre possession film, but unfortunately, it fails to deliver on its spooky elements effectively. Instead, it ends up being merely an average possession movie that falls short of its intended mark.

Slant Magazine

“Like any number of Exorcist wannabes, David Midell’s film is a special kind of hell.”

FandomWire

The style of “The Ritual” appears to lean towards a moderate approach. It doesn’t have anything glaringly wrong with it, but at the same time, it lacks significant originality.

The Ritual is out now in UK cinemas, and arrives in US cinemas on 6 June.

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2025-06-04 14:49

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