An Uninspired Exorcism: A Closer Look at The Ritual
David Midell’s The Ritual tries to establish itself as a grittily authentic examination of the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt in Earling, Iowa. The film opens with a text coda proudly declaring its subject matter as the “most documented of its kind.” However, with a plot that unfolds in a mind-numbingly derivative manner, one can’t help but feel that the filmmakers leaned more on clichéd horror tropes than actual historical evidence.
A Derivative Plotline
The film begins with an unintentionally comedic “so you’re wondering how I got here” mid-exorcism cold open. This leads us to Father Joseph Steiger, portrayed by Dan Stevens, who is grappling with personal demons after his brother’s tragic death. Tasked with conducting an exorcism on Emma Schmidt (played by Abigail Cowen), a young woman allegedly possessed since childhood, Steiger teams up with the esteemed Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino). However, what follows is a grueling, multi-day ritual that feels eerily reminiscent of countless other exorcism films.
A Lackluster Execution
Despite its historical origins, The Ritual finds itself relegated to the ranks of forgettable exorcism flicks. Midell employs an aggressive shaky faux-vérité style that inadvertently emphasizes the film’s cheap production design and lack of atmosphere. The intended scares are few and far between, relying heavily on standard tropes like hair-pulling and shadowy figures—all poorly lit and hard to discern.
Melodrama Fails to Elevate
Even though the film includes brief moments of melodrama, it mostly sticks to a uniformly somber tone that adds little to its depth. Al Pacino, known for his craft in meaty roles, appears disappointingly restrained as Father Riesinger. One can’t help but think that he, along with the rest of the cast, might be as bored with the uninspired material as the audience feels.
Performance Under Pressure
Abigail Cowen delivers a physically demanding performance, indulging in the growling, screaming, and vomiting typically associated with roles of possession. However, her efforts often come off as folly in the face of such a dispiriting endeavor. What’s more, the film shamelessly leans into the demonic sexual deviancy trope, which feels painfully outdated in an era striving for more nuanced narratives.
A Missed Opportunity for Authenticity
Interestingly, the real Emma Schmidt, known also as Anna Ecklund, was in her mid-40s during her exorcism, a detail that could have added a unique layer to the story. Instead, the filmmakers opt for the clichéd portrayal of a twentysomething waif, betraying their claims to authenticity. In its essence, The Ritual ends up being another bland serving of supernatural hokum, destined for forgetfulness before you can utter “Our Father.”
Conclusion: A Score of Mediocrity
The Ritual promises more depth than it ultimately delivers, earning a disappointing score of 1.5 out of 5 stars. With a distinguished cast yet hampered by a lackluster script and uninspired direction, the film is a cautionary tale of how not to approach supernatural horror.
Cast & Crew
- Cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, Maria Camila Giraldo, Meadow Williams, Patrick Fabian, Patricia Heaton
- Director: David Midell
- Screenwriters: David Midell, Enrico Natale
- Distributor: XYZ Films
- Running Time: 94 min
- Rating: NR
- Release Year: 2025
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