Exorcism Film 'The Ritual' Opens US Theaters June 6

The 2025 horror film "The Ritual" dramatizes the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, considered the most documented and publicized exorcism in American history, with Al Pacino and Dan Stevens portraying the priests involved. The movie aims to provide a reverent and realistic depiction of the event, avoiding exploitation and sensationalism common in the genre, focusing on the vulnerable women involved and the Catholic community's response. While the film is noted for its accurate portrayal of the exorcism rite and faithful adherence to Catholic theology, critics have pointed out that it falls into familiar horror cliches and stretches a thin story across its runtime, resulting in a sluggish pace and underdeveloped characters. Director David Midell emphasizes the film as a one-off, prioritizing authenticity over franchise potential and steering clear of hypersexualization or glamorization of evil. The film balances traditional exorcism tropes with a documentary style, though this approach sometimes diminishes the horror elements, making it less impactful for genre fans. Overall, "The Ritual" offers a respectful, earnest portrayal of a landmark exorcism case but struggles to transcend the conventions of exorcism horror films.