The Ritual

2025

Drama / Horror / Thriller

26
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 8% · 66 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 57% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 4.5/10 10 2363 2.4K

Plot summary

Two priests, one in crisis with his faith and the other confronting a turbulent past, must overcome their differences to perform a risky exorcism.

Director

Top cast

Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger
Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger
Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt
Ashley Greene as Sister Rose
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB.x265 2160p.WEB.x265
900.64 MB
1280*640
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+
1.81 GB
1920*960
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+
1.64 GB
1920*960
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+
4.37 GB
3840*1920
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by nERDbOX_Dave 5 / 10

A strong cast and fascinating true story buried beneath distracting direction and jarring style choices.

Here we are again-another film about demonic possession, another "based on a true story" tagline, another exorcism. But The Ritual, which dramatizes the infamous 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, had something more in its grasp: a chilling historical case, a legendary priest, and the potential to stand out in a saturated subgenre. Unfortunately, while the bones of a compelling and terrifying film are here, the execution undercuts itself at nearly every turn.The source material is potent. The real-life exorcism of Emma Schmidt is one of the most detailed and disturbing accounts in American history. But while the story had me hooked, the mockumentary-style camerawork took me right out of it. It's a baffling creative choice that feels like it belongs in an entirely different film. We're not watching a found-footage horror film here, but the cinematography seems to think we are. Jarring close-ups, erratic shaky cam, and a lack of visual clarity not only disrupt the pacing, they often hide the horror instead of revealing it.Pacino, even in his late career, still commands the screen. His Father Riesinger is a worn man with a quiet intensity, bringing grit to the role. Dan Stevens matches his performance, injecting skepticism and emotional weight into a character. Abigail Cowen gives a physically demanding and emotionally performance as Emma. She doesn't overplay the possession, instead grounding it in fear, confusion, and exhaustion. Her portrayal makes you believe she's both victim and battlefield.The Ritual isn't without merit. The performances are strong, the story is there, and there are moments that hint at something deeper and more terrifying. But the disjointed visual style does it no favors. It's a film that constantly reminded me of what it could have been something chilling, thought provoking, and unforgettable. Instead, it's a promising exorcism tale that exorcises itself of its own potential.
Reviewed by stephbess 5 / 10

Been there, exorcised that!

Reviewed by ethanbresnett 4 / 10

Bland, tired and uninspired

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.
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