Al Pacino and Dan Stevens: A Deep Dive into The Ritual
A Familiar Tale of Battle and Belief
If the plot of The Ritual sounds eerily familiar, you’re not alone. This latest exorcism flick takes us on a chilling journey with Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens), a young priest reeling from a personal tragedy and wrestling with his faith. He teams up with the seasoned Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino) to confront a young girl exhibiting severe signs of demonic possession. As Father Steiger leans towards psychological explanations for the girl’s erratic behavior, the resolute Father Riesinger is committed to facing the ultimate evil head-on.
Sound like a plot you’ve heard before? That’s because it is.
The Bottom Line: Same Old Scares
A Tired Formula
The Ritual falls into the same well-trodden narrative path as numerous exorcism films before it, attempting to exorcise our memories of cinematic classics like William Friedkin’s 1973 masterpiece, The Exorcist. This film comes on the heels of similar projects, including The Pope’s Exorcist and The Exorcism, both featuring Russell Crowe, whose recent offerings have unfortunately been met with skepticism.
The creators of The Ritual seem painfully aware of their reliance on clichés, aggressively insisting that their story is based on actual events.
The opening text ominously informs us: “The following is based on true events.”
Authenticity and Execution
The Story Behind the Horror
As the narrative unfolds, we’re reminded again during the end credits that “The 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt remains the most thoroughly documented and well-known exorcism in American history.” This insistence on authenticity serves more as a crutch than a compelling element. As the film endeavors to prove its legitimacy by showcasing photographs of the real-life priests, one can’t help but think: is this overemphasis merely a sign of weakness?
Setting the Scene
A Disturbing Atmosphere
Set in 1928 Iowa, the atmosphere is palpably dark, crafted through a dim lighting design that suggests burnt-out projector bulbs rather than an intentional stylistic choice. Young Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen) displays troubling behavior that has the priests roused to action.
Father Steiger remains skeptical of supernatural involvement, while Father Riesinger, characterized by his fittingly ominous name, is ready to confront the dark forces at play. The local bishop, portrayed by Patrick Fabian, inexplicably opts for an exorcism, setting the stage for a series of predictable encounters with the unholy.
A Roller-Coaster of Exorcism Attempts
Spectacle Over Substance
What follows is a series of exorcism attempts that reveal the limitations of budget horror. Emma’s demonic manifestations include levitation, speaking in tongues, and even a rather graphic scene involving a nun (Ashley Greene) that seems primarily designed for shock value.
Supervising these unsettling proceedings is the stern Mother Superior (Patricia Heaton), a casting choice that raises eyebrows given her background in sitcoms.
Direction and Performances
A Struggle for Authenticity
Director and screenwriter David Midell aims to capture the tension with handheld camera work and zoom lenses, but this choice often resembles more of a mockumentary style than the horror intended.
The film’s pacing suffers, with numerous reaction shots of a horrified Stevens leading viewers to question whether he’s genuinely in the throes of terror or simply regretting his role choice.
Al Pacino: A Disappointing Performance?
It’s hard not to feel a twinge of sympathy for Al Pacino, a master of his craft, now seemingly reduced to B-movie antics. Subtly adopting an accent reminiscent of his role in Hunters, Pacino manages to climb above the chaos, delivering a performance that could have been much worse—yet raises a crucial question: Why this film?
Final Thoughts on The Ritual
While The Ritual attempts to carve its niche within the exorcism genre, it ultimately falls short, struggling to rise above the shadows of its predecessors.
If you’re in the mood for a horror flick filled with familiar tropes and a hefty dose of nostalgia, then perhaps The Ritual checks some boxes. However, for those in search of fresh, innovative storytelling in horror, this film will likely be another entrance into the realm of forgotten exorcisms.
Conclusion: One to Skip for Now
In the end, The Ritual bears the hallmarks of a horror movie trapped in time—a desperate attempt to capture new audiences while failing to escape the shadow of its iconic forebear. If you’re intrigued, albeit with caution, check it out on IMDb for more details.
Have you seen The Ritual? What are your thoughts on modern-day exorcism films? Share in the comments!
