The Ritual

I'm guessing that Russell Crowe was busy for this latest exercise in priestly exorcism so an hardly recognisable Al Pacino decided to have a go. He is a Capetian father drafted in to help the reluctant Fr. Joseph (Dan Stevens) with a particularly difficult task. Fr. Theophilus must help rid the poor young Emma (Abigail Cowen) of an unwanted bodily guest. His methods do not impress the rather naive young father, nor the sisters in attendance as she increasingly resorts to involuntary bleeding, foul language, violent outbursts and even the usual hanging upside down from the ceiling lamp trick whilst under relentless assault from the repetitious bible verses being read across what I counted are at least seven of those ritual attempts at expulsion. Sound familiar? Well that's because it is. Aside from Pacino turning in a slightly different style of performance from his norm, the rest of this hasn't an original bone in it's body. Indeed, its only claim to fame appears to be that it is based on the original, almost century old, transcriptions from Fr. Joseph of events that are really supposed to have happened but we've seen this all predictably play out so many times before that even the traditional collapsible bed doesn't turn an head - spiritual or metaphysically. The one element that does provoke a little interest is, perhaps, the clear indication that Catholicism in the 1920s was riddled with incantations, superstitions and a degree of symbolism that probably hadn't changed since much since there was a Borgia on the throne of St. Peter. This might work on the telly at Halloween of you're full of Grappa, but as a cinema experience it is disappointing and entirely forgettable, sorry.

In a world where two or three exorcism movies are being released each year, you have to do something special to make your mark. Unfortunately, The Ritual is about as bland as you can get from an exorcism movie.

It's first issue is that it commits the cardinal sin of not being remotely scary or creepy. Partly this is because everything it is doing has been done to death, and has been done better in other films. Partly it is because it doesn't even seem to try too hard to cultivate a spooky atmosphere. The whole tone and look of the film is just dull.

The performances are OK, but nothing special. Al Pacino is wasted in a pretty formulaic role, and Dan Stevens does his best to put meat on the sparse bones of a beleaguered priest tasked with hosting the exorcism. It is a wonder how such a good cast was assembled for such a poor film.

Ultimately though, I do think this film falls apart with its story. It is just so formulaic and derivative of the exorcism genre. I knew every single story beat that was going to happen before it did. Nothing here is remotely new. I think they rested on their laurels due to the fact it was based on a real story, but that doesn't make it any better. The whole thing just lacked any real theatricality or spark.

Of all the exorcism films that I've seen in recent years, this is most definitely one of the least inspiring. One to avoid.

The Ritual (2025): Al Pacino has previously played the Devil so it's refreshing to see him bat for the opposing team in The Ritual where he is cast as Exorcist Father Theophilus Riesinger, an elderly Capuchin priest. The film is set in 1928, another priest, Fr Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens) is prevailed upon to assist in the exorcism in his parish at a convent of Franciscan Sisters. Steiger and the nuns will assist in the exorcism. The possessed woman, Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), isn't the only disturbed spirit about, Riesinger and Steiger clash over methods to be used, Steiger being a man of science, seeks a medical explanation. Very much an Exorcism Procedural where the various Rituals are gone through in correct order. Some convincing scenes of horror with Poltergeist effects. Nuns bitten, bashed and half-scalped by Emma, Also levitation and Emma knowing more than she should. She even licks Steiger's arm and suggests that he has the hots for Sister Rose (Ashley Greene). Interestingly it is filmed through a dark filter where every scene is in a permanent state of twilight. A few plot twists and information being withheld by a protagonist influences the unfolding of the narrative. Nothing really new here, not a great Exorcist film but not a bad one either. Based on a true story. Directed by David Midell, Written by Midell and Enrico Natale. 6.5/10.

Why are the reviews so bad? I almost skipped it because the low ratings...it's actually good for a possession/haunted house movie...it has zero jokes, no corny people trying to be funny, and actually has scary scenes...seeing close up shots of the shock and fear on the sister's and priests faces are frightening!! It makes you feel grateful to not be in these situations, the scariest scenes happened towards the Iast 30 minutes...Bring her back was still way better, but this was a decent scary film...If you want to see a possession film, GO SEE THIS...I know bad scary movies, this wasn't bad, It just didn't have those usual jokes and typical dialog you are used to...it's actually for adults and for people that don't like Horror comedies...

The Ritual (2025) is an exorcism horror movie that is based on a true story and it is another generic ass exorcism horror movie.

Positives for The Ritual (2025): Dan Stevens and Al Pacino are giving their best with their performances. And finally, the movie is short at only 98 minutes.

Negatives for The Ritual (2025): This is another exorcism horror movie that you've seen a million times before and it plays out the same way as those other movies. There is nothing new about this one that others have done before and have done better. The side characters are boring and forgettable. The woman who is in need of an exorcism is every victim from those other exorcism movies and she acts the same way. And finally, the exorcism scene is so lame and underwhelming.

Overall, The Ritual (2025) is just as bad as every other exorcism horror movie that has been made and it will immediately fall into obscurity after you have watched it.