Movies

The Ritual Review: Boring Exorcism Film with Al Pacino and No Scares

BBG News

Numerous actors have delved into the realm of exorcism-themed films: Last year, Russell Crowe attempted it once more with “The Exorcism,” receiving a mixed reception. Now, Al Pacino follows suit, joining the roster of Academy Award winners exploring exorcism horror, and it’s likely he won’t be the only one aiming to emulate the late Max Von Sydow’s mastery in “The Exorcist” from over half a century ago. This week, “The Ritual,” which is based on a story that happened nearly a century ago, is set to hit theaters and finds Pacino taking on another foreign accent. If you found his pronunciation acceptable in the Prime series “Hunters,” perhaps it will pass muster this time around as well.

While some viewers might dismiss “The Ritual” as merely passable because of its authentic true story, others find that the acting prowess of Al Pacino and the rising star Dan Stevens (Abigail) fails to dispel the lingering dullness from this film directed by David Midell (The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain). The strong supporting role played by Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) also fails to elevate the overall experience, considering her limited appearance on screen.

Two Priests and a Demon

From the outset, the shaky handheld camera technique underscores Midell’s unique visual style within the possession genre. This is akin to real-life documentary footage, fitting for a film rooted in a chilling true event that unfolded, largely, in Iowa during 1928. By skillfully framing scenes and offering intimate glimpses into Father Joseph Steiger’s (Dan Stevens) tumultuous life, Midell draws viewers deeply into the story. A personal tragedy casts a shadow over him, yet he is compelled to press on, especially when the local bishop (Patrick Fabian) requests his assistance in evaluating Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), who’s been plagued by alarming mental breakdowns, including rejections of sacred rituals. In addition to expressing gratitude for the support from his church’s staff and nuns, such as Mother Superior (Heaton) and Sister Rose (Ashley Greene), he must confront this challenge head-on.

Although the troubled priest harbored reservations, the bishop chose Joseph’s isolated convent as the location for a formal exorcism. It was then that Father Theophilus Riesinger (played by Pacino) made his dramatic entrance. The elderly and contentious exorcist had unconventional views regarding the rituals he was about to perform, one instance being the use of restraints during Emma’s exorcism, which Joseph initially objected to. The differing viewpoints between the priests could have added more tension, but this potential conflict never escalated into a climactic confrontation. A pity— there are other aspects that warrant critique, such as the limited screen time for co-star Cowen as Emma. Her demonic scenes were scarce and failed to match the intensity of William Friedkin’s 1973 classic, an R-rated horror story that continues to haunt the dreams of film enthusiasts.

Pacino as Exorcist: a Head Scratcher

Viewers may anticipate more shock factors, as the director emphasizes the heavy emotional and psychological struggles portrayed in the film. However, despite this, the movie – serving as an entertainment platform – succumbs to a repetitive pattern that becomes noticeable from the second act. The repeated scenes of Theophilus’ rituals performed on Emma lose their distinctiveness by the end, with little escalation observed between each session. This monotony is further exacerbated by the fact that these scenes largely take place in the same room, unlike the iconic horror sequences from the 1973 film “The Exorcist.” Perhaps the lack of dynamic characters like Fathers Merrin and Karras contributes to this issue, making Joseph and Theophilus in “The Ritual” seem less engaging.

Pacino’s performance is consistently dull, whispering many lines as if he just woke up on set. Despite Heaton’s straightforward screen presence being welcome, her character’s accent fluctuates during heated scenes, which becomes quite disconcerting by the end. The exorcism of Emma Schmidt, however, remains one of the most extensively documented and publicly recognized in American history. Sadly, this film version may become infamous for different reasons in cinema lore.

XYZ Films will release The Ritual in theaters nationwide on Friday, June 6, 2025.

Read More

2025-06-04 23:03

Previous post 28 Years Later: Terrifying New Posters Revealed!
Next post Wittle Defender redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)