New Movies: The Ritual (2025) by David Midell: Faith, Demons, and the Devil's Due

The Core Story: Two Priests, One Possessed Soul

"The Ritual" is a horror film directed by David Midell, co-written with Enrico Natale. It's based on the harrowing "true story" of Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), a young woman in 1928 Earling, Iowa, who experiences terrifying phenomena including violent outbursts, speaking in unknown languages, and an unnatural hatred of sacred things. Her devout Catholic family believes she's possessed and seeks the Church's help. The case falls to Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), a seasoned German-American priest known for authorized exorcisms, and his reluctant companion, Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens). Steiger, a younger priest grappling with a crisis of faith after his brother's suicide and disillusioned with the Church's stance on mental illness, is skeptical. However, as he witnesses Emma's horrifying manifestations – her unnatural voice, recounting of personal sins, and extreme strength – his skepticism erodes, forcing him to confront his beliefs in a grueling 23-day ritual to save Emma's soul.

Short Summary: Exorcism in Iowa, 1928

In 1928 Iowa, a young woman, Emma Schmidt, is believed to be demonically possessed. Two priests, the experienced Father Riesinger (Al Pacino) and the skeptical Father Steiger (Dan Stevens), must set aside their differences and their own personal demons to perform a series of dangerous and draining exorcisms to save her soul, in a battle against ancient evil.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32194932/

Link Review: https://filmfestivaltoday.com/film-reviews/the-ritual-is-repetitive-and-routine

About movie: https://www.cinemachineshop.com/theritual

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-ritual-2025 `(US), https://www.fandango.com/the-ritual-2025-239574/movie-overview?cmp=rt_leaderboard&a=13036 (US)

Detailed Look: Faith, Doubt, and Demonic Clichés

"The Ritual" plunges into the dark and familiar territory of exorcism horror, drawing heavily on the alleged true story of Emma Schmidt, a case often cited as an inspiration for The Exorcist. The film attempts to differentiate itself by focusing on the contrasting beliefs of its two lead priests: the unwavering faith of Riesinger (Al Pacino, in a performance critics have noted as "hammy" or "uninspired") and the profound doubt of Steiger (Dan Stevens, whose performance has also been criticized as "phoned in").

The narrative unfolds as a series of repeated exorcism attempts, with Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen, whose commitment is often praised as a highlight) displaying classic demonic behaviors: speaking in multiple voices (including Beelzebub, Judas Iscariot, and even her deceased abusive father), levitating, vomiting strange substances, and contorting her body. The physical and emotional toll on the priests is central to the film's drama, particularly Steiger's journey of renewed purpose. Despite its compelling premise and seasoned cast, critics have largely found the film to be "generic," "uninspired," and "repetitive," relying on genre clichés and suffering from a lack of genuine scares, uninspired direction, and often distracting cinematography.

Plot Summary: The Unfolding Ordeal

• A Troubled Young Woman: In 1928 Earling, Iowa, Emma Schmidt begins to exhibit disturbing symptoms, including violent fits, speaking in tongues, and an aversion to religious objects, leading her family to believe she is possessed.

• The Priests Are Called: Father Theophilus Riesinger, an experienced exorcist, is dispatched to Emma's aid, accompanied by the younger, faith-doubting Father Joseph Steiger.

• Skepticism Meets Supernatural: Steiger's skepticism about demonic possession is challenged as he witnesses Emma's inexplicable abilities and terrifying manifestations during initial encounters.

• The Ritual Begins: The exorcism takes place at a secluded convent. Emma is bound to a bed, and the priests begin the arduous ritual, which reportedly spans 23 days.

• Demonic Manifestations: Emma experiences extreme physical contortions, speaks in vile and mocking voices (revealing themselves as various demons and even her deceased father), vomits, and levitates.

• Toll on the Priests: Both priests endure immense physical and emotional strain. Steiger experiences a crisis, but also finds renewed purpose, while Riesinger becomes obsessed with the ritual.

• Climax and Resolution: The exorcism culminates in a harrowing 72-hour continuous session where Emma thrashes violently. The demons are eventually forced to swear obedience, and Emma is seemingly freed, returning to a normal life, though the experience leaves Riesinger deeply altered and Steiger finally at peace.

Director's Vision: The Artistic Compass Guiding "The Ritual"

David Midell's vision for "The Ritual" aimed to bring a "true story" to the screen, exploring themes of faith, doubt, and vulnerability within the exorcism subgenre.

• Based on a "True Story": Midell (along with co-writer Enrico Natale) was inspired by the documented 1928 Emma Schmidt exorcism, one of the most thoroughly recorded cases in American history. He intended to explore "some really interesting questions" about the case and the people involved.

• Exploration of Faith and Doubt: A key aspect of the vision was to examine the contrasting spiritual journeys of the two priests – Riesinger's unwavering faith and Steiger's crisis of belief – and how they confront the unknown.

• Focus on Vulnerability: Midell aimed to highlight a "really vulnerable woman who was suffering a lot" and "this group of people who happen to be priests and nuns who come together and put themselves at great personal risk... to try to help alleviate her suffering." This suggests a desire for a more empathetic, character-focused approach to the possession narrative.

• Blending Fact with Fiction: While rooted in historical accounts, Midell acknowledged the need to "take dramatic license here and there" given the century-old events and limited archived information.

• Genre Nuance: Midell, previously known for dramas and biographical thrillers (like The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain), sought to "explore doing something in a genre that we hadn't worked in before," specifically the exorcism horror subgenre.

• Critical Feedback on Execution: Despite these intentions, critical reception indicates that the execution often fell short of the vision, with criticisms pointing to a passive directorial style, lack of intensity in scare scenes, and generic adherence to genre clichés rather than a fresh psychological exploration.

Themes: Echoes of Humanity

• Faith vs. Skepticism: The central dynamic between Father Riesinger's deep belief and Father Steiger's doubt forms the core thematic conflict.

• Demonic Possession vs. Mental Illness: The film, like many in the genre, touches upon the ambiguity of whether Emma's condition is spiritual or psychological, though it ultimately leans towards the supernatural.

• The Toll of Spiritual Warfare: It portrays the immense physical, emotional, and spiritual drain on those involved in performing an exorcism.

• Vulnerability and Protection: The story centers on a vulnerable individual (Emma) and the lengths to which others (the priests) go to protect her.

• Abuse and Trauma: The revelation of Emma's deceased abusive father being one of the possessing entities hints at the connection between past trauma and susceptibility to spiritual torment.

Key Success Factors: Ingredients for Triumph (and areas where it fell short)

• Abigail Cowen's Commitment: Cowen's performance as Emma Schmidt is often cited as the most dedicated and impactful, effectively portraying the physical and psychological torment.

• Historical Inspiration: Basing the film on a "true" and well-documented exorcism case provides an intriguing hook, even if critics found the execution generic.

• Veteran Cast: The presence of Al Pacino and Dan Stevens lends initial gravitas and star power to the production.

Areas Where It Fell Short (according to critics):

• Lack of Scares/Tension: Many critics found the film not scary, lacking intensity in its exorcism scenes, and suffering from repetitive pacing.

• Generic Script: Criticized for being "by-the-numbers," "episodic," and relying too heavily on established exorcism clichés without offering anything new.

• Passive Direction: David Midell's direction was often called "passive" and lacking the dynamism needed for horror.

• Uninspired Lead Performances (Pacino/Stevens): While high-profile, critics frequently described Pacino's performance as "hammy" or "uninspired" and Stevens' as "phoned in" or "subdued."

• Distracting Cinematography: The use of shaky handheld cameras was widely criticized as unnecessary and distracting.

Awards and Nominations: Acknowledged Brilliance

As a recent 2025 release, specific major awards or nominations are not yet widely publicized. Given the generally negative critical reception, significant awards recognition is unlikely.

Critics Reception: Voices from the Critics

"The Ritual" has received generally negative reviews from critics. The common themes in reviews include a lack of originality, ineffective scares, and disappointing performances from its lead actors despite the intriguing "true story" premise.

• Pete Kirkpatrick (Pete Kirkpatrick's Reviews): Gives a 3/10, criticizing Midell's "extremely passive" direction, lack of "moderately scary" moments, and "overly rehearsed" feel. He calls the script "uncreative" and "replete with clichés," with "paper-thin characterisation." He lambastes the "unanimously poor cast," including "pay cheque performance" from Stevens and "hammy turn" from Pacino. The cinematography is deemed "dreadful" and "distracting."

• Reddit (r/moviereviews): A user describes it as "by-the-numbers exorcism film where the real villain is its cinematography." They find it "as generic and uninspired as its title," with "almost nothing to unpack" beyond Pacino's "eccentric performance" which, in a better movie, "might've been turned into something meaningful." Another user found the whole movie "average at best," with Pacino's performance feeling "uninspired and phoned in."

• Rue Morgue (Rick McCrank): States the film "won't compel you." He notes it condenses decades into weeks, "straying far from the 'true events' upon which it's based while simultaneously refusing to allow itself to become outlandish enough to be interesting." He criticizes the sidelining of Emma's story for Father Steiger's "whiny boy to whiny man" journey. Calls the script "a total wet blanket" and the lead performances "disinterested."

• But Why Tho? (Film Review): Gives a 3/10, calling it an "unfulfilling slog." It finds the pacing "less like a ritual and more like a begrudging routine." While praising Abigail Cowen's commitment, it states Stevens and Pacino "phone in their performances" and the film "isn't scary, lacks the conviction to see its fact-based story through all its facets, and falls apart due to disinterested lead performers."

• Reddit (r/horror - advanced screening): A user who saw an advanced screening called it "terrible," "bland, boring," and "every exorcism movie you've ever seen before but worse." They criticize the "horrendous pacing and structure" and lack of scares, along with "nauseating" shaky-cam cinematography.

Overall Critics Reception Summary: "The Ritual" has been largely panned by critics, who consistently point to its generic nature, repetitive plot, and a significant lack of effective scares. Despite the intriguing "true story" premise and the presence of veteran actors like Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, their performances have been widely criticized as uninspired. The film's technical execution, particularly its shaky cinematography, also received harsh reviews. Abigail Cowen's committed performance as Emma Schmidt is often cited as one of the few positives.

Reviews: Unveiling Perspectives

• Reddit (r/moviereviews): A user who saw an advanced screening expressed strong disappointment, calling the film a "lifeless, rote mess." They highlighted the repetitive plot structure (alternating nights of exorcism with discussions of doubt), lack of genuine scares, and "nauseating" shaky-cam as major detriments. They specifically mentioned Pacino's "weird non-specific European" accent disappearing when he yelled.

• Screen Rant: In an interview, director David Midell and Abigail Cowen discussed the extensive research into Emma Schmidt's story and the creative licenses taken. Midell stated his desire to explore "a really vulnerable woman who was suffering a lot" and the people risking themselves to help her, a "throughline" from his previous films.

• Rue Morgue: This review strongly criticizes the film for sidelining Emma's story in favor of Father Steiger's journey, suggesting a missed opportunity to explore the historical accusations of mental illness against Schmidt. It also laments the lack of a fresh perspective on the exorcism genre.

Overall Reviews Summary: Reviews underscore a widespread disappointment with "The Ritual," often highlighting its failure to deliver genuine scares or original narrative beats. While the historical inspiration was initially promising, critics felt the film defaulted to clichés and suffered from uninspired direction and acting from its high-profile leads. The execution, particularly the cinematography, was a frequent point of criticism.

Production Summary: Behind the Scenes

"The Ritual" is an American horror film with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes (98 minutes). It was directed by David Midell and co-written by David Midell and Enrico Natale.

Key Crew:

• Director: David Midell

• Writers: David Midell, Enrico Natale

• Producers: Andrew Stevens, Mitchell Welch, Enrico Natale, Ross Kagan Marks

• Cinematography: Adam Biddle

• Music: Jason Lazarus, Joseph Trapanese

• Editing: Enrico Natale

Starring:

• Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger

• Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger

• Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt

• Ashley Greene as Sister Rose

• Patricia Heaton as Mother Superior

• Patrick Fabian as Bishop Edwards

• Maria Camila Giraldo as Sister Camila

• Ritchie Montgomery as Chester

• Meadow Williams

Production Companies:

• Cinemachine Shop

• XYZ Films (involved in distribution)

Distributed by:

• XYZ Films (United States)

Filming Location: Natchez, Mississippi (commenced January 2024). Al Pacino and Ben Foster were initially cast in July 2023, but Foster was later replaced by Dan Stevens in April 2024. The film is inspired by the 1935 book Begone Satan!.

Release Dates: Arriving on Screens

• United Kingdom & Ireland Theatrical Release: May 30, 2025

• United States Theatrical Release: June 6, 2025 (Limited)

• United States Digital/VOD Release: Mid-to-late July 2025 (estimated, based on XYZ Films' patterns)

• Potential Streaming (Netflix): Around September 2025 (estimated, not confirmed)

Why to Recommend Movie: A Cinematic Invitation

• For Die-Hard Exorcism Genre Fans: If you consume every film in the exorcism subgenre, regardless of critical reception, this offers another entry inspired by a historical case.

• Abigail Cowen's Performance: Her portrayal of Emma Schmidt has been highlighted as a committed effort.

• Al Pacino and Dan Stevens Together: For those curious to see this particular acting duo share the screen in a horror context.

Why to Watch Movie: The Power of Presence

• Curiosity for "True Story" Basis: If the historical Emma Schmidt exorcism case genuinely intrigues you, the film offers a dramatization.

• Al Pacino in a Horror Role: A rare sight for the legendary actor, which might appeal to some.

• To Form Your Own Opinion: Despite negative reviews, some viewers may wish to experience it firsthand and draw their own conclusions.

Movie Trend: Following the Current

"The Ritual" rides the persistent wave of Exorcism Horror Films, a subgenre that continues to see new entries, often claiming "true story" inspirations to add an extra layer of dread. It also falls into the trend of Faith-Based Horror where the conflict revolves around spiritual battles and the struggle of religious figures. However, its reception indicates a struggle to innovate within these well-worn tropes.

Social Trend: Mirroring Society

The film touches upon the ongoing societal discussions surrounding Mental Health vs. Spiritual Phenomena. While the film ultimately leans supernatural, the character of Father Steiger initially questioning possession in favor of mental illness reflects a contemporary dialogue about understanding and treating psychological conditions, particularly in a historical context where such understanding was limited. It also plays into the public's enduring fascination with the Supernatural and the Unexplained, a constant in human culture.

Final Verdict: The Final Take

"The Ritual" attempts to tap into the enduring fascination with exorcism horror by drawing on a well-documented "true story." However, despite the presence of acting veterans Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, the film largely falls short, suffering from a generic script, uninspired direction, and a lack of genuine scares. Critics have noted its repetitive nature, heavy reliance on genre clichés, and often distracting cinematography. While Abigail Cowen delivers a committed performance, the film struggles to offer anything fresh or compelling, ultimately becoming a by-the-numbers entry in a saturated subgenre. For all its ambition to explore faith and doubt, "The Ritual" fails to compel, leaving audiences with a largely unfulfilling and forgettable experience.

Recommendations for Filmmakers: Charting New Courses

• Innovate Within Subgenres: When tackling well-trodden horror subgenres like exorcism, prioritize unique angles, fresh scares, or deeper psychological explorations over reliance on clichés.

• Maximize Veteran Talent: If casting iconic actors, ensure the script and direction provide them with material that allows for a nuanced and engaging performance, rather than phoning it in.

• Mind the Technical Execution: Even compelling concepts can be undermined by poor technical choices (e.g., distracting cinematography or flat pacing).

• Respect "True Stories" with Depth: When adapting real events, aim for a balanced exploration that delves into the complexities and ambiguities, rather than a simplistic, genre-bound interpretation.

Recommendations for Movie Industry: Elevating the Art

• Demand Stronger Scripts for Genre Films: Encourage horror and thriller projects to invest in original, well-developed narratives that transcend basic tropes.

• Support Directors with a Clear Vision: Prioritize filmmakers who can bring a distinct and impactful artistic vision to even familiar material.

• Balance Star Power with Substance: While big names can attract attention, ensure the quality of the film itself justifies the investment and meets audience expectations.

• Diversify Horror Offerings: Encourage a wider range of horror narratives beyond repeated exorcism or possession tropes to keep the genre fresh and engaging for audiences.

Final Conclusions: A Familiar Fight Against the Unholy

Conversely, "The Ritual" struggles to distinguish itself within the well-trodden exorcism horror subgenre, despite its intriguing "true story" inspiration. Directed by David Midell, the film suffers from a generic script, a lack of genuine scares, and often uninspired performances from its high-profile leads, Al Pacino and Dan Stevens. Critics widely point to its repetitive plot, heavy reliance on clichés, and distracting cinematography as major detractors. While Abigail Cowen delivers a committed performance as the possessed Emma Schmidt, the film ultimately fails to offer a fresh or compelling take on its subject matter, becoming a by-the-numbers entry in a saturated field. For filmmakers, "The Ritual" serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of innovating within established genres, ensuring that veteran talent is utilized effectively, and prioritizing strong technical execution. The movie industry should prioritize more original narratives and support directors with a clear, impactful vision, rather than simply relying on familiar tropes and star power.