The horror genre welcomes back one of Hollywood’s greatest legends. At 85, Al Pacino stars in The Ritual, a chilling supernatural thriller that marks his return to a genre he had long avoided. The film, set for release in Mexico and other territories on July 31, dives into the dark heart of spiritual warfare, drawing from the real-life case of Emma Schmidt, a woman subjected to a series of intense exorcisms in the 1920s.
Directed by Christopher Smith and co-starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), The Ritual explores not only demonic possession but also the moral conflicts within the exorcists themselves. With a narrative deeply inspired by the 1973 classic The Exorcist, yet grounded in historical accounts, this movie promises both psychological depth and spiritual dread.
What is ‘The Ritual’ about, and how is it connected to real events?
The Ritual tells the unsettling story of Father Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino), a Jesuit priest summoned to confront a demonic force possessing a young woman in rural America. He is joined by Father Joseph Steiger (Stevens), a skeptical younger priest with a troubled past. Together, they embark on a harrowing 23-day spiritual battle that tests not only their faith but also their humanity.
The screenplay is based on the documented exorcism of Emma Schmidt, one of the most thoroughly recorded cases of possession in American history. Her ordeal in 1928 was chronicled in religious archives and later became a source of fascination for scholars and horror filmmakers alike. Unlike many fictional exorcism tales, The Ritual stays close to the original accounts, infusing authenticity into its terrifying scenes.
The filmmakers emphasize atmosphere over gore, opting for claustrophobic settings and psychological tension. Much of the film was shot in a decommissioned cathedral in Eastern Europe, adding a haunting realism to its visual palette. According to Smith, “We wanted every frame to feel steeped in dread, grounded in reality but brushing against the divine and the diabolical.”
How does Al Pacino approach a role so different from his iconic past?
Known for unforgettable roles in The Godfather, Scarface, and Scent of a Woman, Al Pacino has rarely ventured into horror. Surprisingly, in interviews promoting The Ritual, he confessed to never having watched The Exorcist.
“I’ve always avoided horror films,” Pacino told Entertainment Weekly. “But this script intrigued me. There was something poetic and tragic about this priest’s journey.”
Pacino’s portrayal of Father Riesinger is subdued yet magnetic. He plays the character as a man burdened by faith, doubt, and a sense of cosmic responsibility. His chemistry with Dan Stevens is key to the film’s dramatic tension. Stevens, portraying a priest questioning his beliefs, adds a contemporary angle to the age-old battle between good and evil.
Interestingly, Pacino shared anecdotes from his own spiritual upbringing. Though he doesn’t identify as deeply religious, he says he’s always believed in something greater. “When I was a kid, I thought I was so good that the Virgin Mary would appear to me and ask me to become a priest,” he said with a laugh. “I just wanted to play baseball.”
Is ‘The Ritual’ worth watching despite early critical backlash?
While The Ritual has already opened in the U.S., its critical reception has been mixed. Currently holding a 9% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many reviewers have compared it unfavorably to The Exorcist, claiming it brings little new to the genre. Yet others argue that the film’s commitment to realism and strong performances make it a noteworthy entry in modern horror.
For fans of Al Pacino, this is a rare chance to see the actor take on a role filled with introspection, fear, and philosophical questioning. And for those intrigued by exorcism true stories, the movie offers a grounded, human perspective on the supernatural.
Dan Stevens remarked in an interview that the set itself contributed to the film’s eerie aura. “We shot in a place that felt truly haunted. You could feel something ancient in the air,” he said. Pacino agreed: “There were moments I just felt… off. It’s hard to explain, but the atmosphere was thick with something.”
The Ritual might not reinvent the wheel, but it offers a somber, chilling reflection on faith and evil. As Pacino himself mused, quoting Shakespeare in the press tour: “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
So, the question lingers: Are you brave enough to witness a true battle between darkness and light?
