The Ritual (2025)

The Ritual (2025) – A Deep Dive into Faith, Fear, and the Unknown

Image Source: IMP Awards 

Title: The Ritual (2025)

Genre: Supernatural Horror

Director: David Midell

Writers: David Midell, Enrico Natale

Based On: The real-life 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt

Cast:

Al Pacino as Father Riesinger

Dan Stevens as Father Steiger

Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt

Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, Enrico Natale, Patrick Fabian

Plot: Two priests perform an intense exorcism on a possessed woman in 1928 Iowa, confronting deep-rooted evil and personal faith.

Release Date: June 6, 2025 (USA)

Language: English

Runtime: 1h 38m

Distributor: XYZ Films

Tone: Dark, atmospheric, character-driven

Inspired by: Begone Satan! – a book about the real Emma Schmidt case

Overview

The Ritual (2025) is an American supernatural horror film directed by David Midell, co-written with Enrico Natale, and inspired by one of the most haunting real-life exorcism cases in American history—that of Emma Schmidt in 1928. This film stands out not only because of its spine-chilling narrative and powerful cast, but because it boldly dares to explore the psychological, spiritual, and moral consequences of confronting evil that may dwell both within and beyond the human soul.

Rather than relying solely on shock value, The Ritual is a meditative horror film built upon atmosphere, theological tension, and character-driven storytelling. It’s a film that asks difficult questions: What do we truly believe in? What price must be paid for redemption? Is evil a tangible force, or a manifestation of human suffering and trauma?

Set in the haunting backdrop of 1920s America, The Ritual introduces audiences to two deeply contrasting Catholic priests—Father Theophilus Riesinger and Father Joseph Steiger—who are summoned to perform an exorcism on a woman believed to be possessed. What ensues is a battle of wills, ideologies, and faiths, as human fear collides with the supernatural.

Plot Summary

The story opens in rural Iowa in 1928. A sense of unease permeates the early scenes—stormy skies, whispering winds, and a rural town veiled in a quiet dread. At the center of this darkness is Emma Schmidt, a young woman tormented by inexplicable visions, violent behavior, and an overwhelming presence she cannot control.

Emma is placed under the care of a convent where the local bishop contacts Father Theophilus Riesinger, a German-born Capuchin monk known for his unwavering faith and rare experience in exorcisms. Accompanying him is Father Joseph Steiger, a younger priest struggling with a loss of belief after personal tragedy. Their spiritual mission quickly evolves into a harrowing descent into hell as they confront not only the demons possessing Emma—but their own inner torment.

As the exorcism unfolds over weeks, Emma’s possession manifests in terrifying ways: speaking in foreign tongues, superhuman strength, telekinetic abilities, and exposure of the priests’ most private sins. The rituals become physically and emotionally taxing. The convent itself seems to be affected—nuns fall ill, sacred objects are desecrated, and nightmarish visions plague the clergy.

But amidst the horror, the film injects deep emotional moments. We learn about Emma’s traumatic past, her spiritual isolation, and the origin of her possession—linked to deep familial abuse and generational trauma. The exorcism is not just about ridding a demon but confronting deeply buried truths.

By the end, Father Riesinger remains steadfast in his purpose, but Father Steiger undergoes a transformation. His wavering faith is both destroyed and resurrected in the fires of this experience. Emma survives—but is not left unscathed. The final scene leaves the audience questioning whether true evil was cast out, or if it simply changed form.

Cast and Character Analysis

Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger

In one of the most unexpected yet fitting castings, Al Pacino delivers a powerhouse performance as the aged exorcist. Pacino’s portrayal is restrained yet deeply intense—his silence carries weight, and his prayers feel like weapons. He is a man not of words, but action and unshakable belief. His character serves as the spiritual anchor of the film.

Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger

Dan Stevens gives one of his most layered performances to date. Steiger is not just a secondary priest but a complex mirror to Riesinger. Where Riesinger represents old-world faith, Steiger embodies modern doubt. Stevens captures the inner turmoil of a man haunted by loss, craving redemption through this exorcism.

Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt

Cowen brings emotional depth and terrifying physicality to the role. Emma is not just a victim—she is a layered, tragic figure. Through her, the film explores mental illness, spiritual warfare, and repressed trauma. Cowen shifts seamlessly between vulnerability and menace, often in the same scene.

Ashley Greene as Sister Rose

As the nun assisting during the rituals, Greene gives a subdued yet important performance. Her faith is tested as she bears witness to the impossible, becoming a key emotional support for both Emma and the priests.

Supporting Cast

Patricia Heaton as Mother Superior, the head of the convent, brings gravitas and compassion.

Patrick Fabian plays Bishop Edwards with bureaucratic unease, skeptical of the supernatural.

Enrico Natale, also co-writer, portrays Dr. Fabian—a scientific mind caught in a spiritual war.

Historical Inspiration: The Real Case of Emma Schmidt

What elevates The Ritual is its connection to a true story. The real Emma Schmidt, also known by the pseudonym Anna Ecklund, underwent one of the most prolonged and documented exorcisms in U.S. history. Conducted by Father Riesinger, her case involved three separate exorcisms over decades.

Emma allegedly showed signs of demonic possession from a young age. Reports stated she would speak Latin and German despite not learning them, levitate, and display aversion to sacred objects. The 1928 exorcism at a convent in Earling, Iowa, became the basis for theological studies and inspired books like Begone Satan!.

The Ritual uses this case not just for scares but to address the cultural and psychological contexts of the time: a society grappling with modern science, mental health, and ancient faith.

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Themes and Symbolism

Faith vs. Doubt

At its core, the film is a meditation on belief. Through Father Steiger’s crisis, the film shows how faith is not the absence of doubt—but perseverance despite it.

The Nature of Evil

Is Emma’s possession literal or metaphorical? The film leaves room for interpretation, exploring how trauma, guilt, and sin manifest.

Sacrifice and Redemption

Characters must endure great personal suffering—spiritual and physical—to save a soul. Redemption is not cheap; it is earned through pain.

Silence and Sound

Cinematically, the film uses silence as horror. The absence of noise becomes unbearable. When sound does erupt—screams, hymns, incantations—it hits like thunder.

Cinematography and Style

Adam Biddle’s cinematography is deliberately restrained, using muted color palettes, candlelit rooms, and long takes to evoke claustrophobia and dread. The camera lingers uncomfortably on faces during prayer, suggesting the internal wars being waged.

The convent is both sanctuary and prison—its halls echo with whispers and creaks. Set design pays close attention to historical accuracy—crosses, rosaries, handwritten prayers—creating an authentic 1920s Catholic aesthetic.

Musical Score

The music by Jason Lazarus and Joseph Trapanese blends Gregorian chants with modern dissonance. The score is not just background but an active part of the narrative. During exorcism scenes, the music becomes a character—haunting, confrontational, and deeply unsettling.

Production and Filming Challenges

Filming began in Natchez, Mississippi, chosen for its preserved early 20th-century architecture. The set included a fully constructed convent interior, built to accommodate long, uninterrupted takes.

According to production notes, the filming was emotionally taxing for many actors—particularly Abigail Cowen, who underwent intense physical and vocal training to portray possession authentically.

Ben Foster was initially cast as Father Steiger but dropped out due to schedule conflicts, leading to Dan Stevens' last-minute casting—a decision that ultimately benefited the character arc.

Director David Midell, known for The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, brings his documentary-like realism to this story, grounding supernatural events in gritty reality.

Marketing Campaign

The marketing campaign for The Ritual has leaned heavily into historical horror. Trailers released focused on atmospheric dread rather than jump scares. Poster imagery includes religious iconography—burning rosaries, bleeding statues, and shadowed convent hallways.

Interviews with cast emphasized the film’s psychological depth. Teasers featured chilling voiceovers of ancient prayers, handwritten confessionals, and eerie chanting.

Advance screenings for clergy and scholars added credibility. A viral marketing campaign included cryptic postcards sent to influencers featuring quotes from Begone Satan!.

Release Information

Originally scheduled for April 18, 2025, the release was pushed to June 6, 2025, to allow for additional VFX polishing and a broader international launch.

The film will debut in theaters in the United States, with XYZ Films handling domestic distribution. Internationally, distributors in the UK, India, and Brazil have secured rights.

Runtime: 1 hour and 38 minutes

Language: English

Rating: R (expected) – for disturbing content, strong language, and brief nudity.

Anticipated Reception

While early critical reception is not available as of May 2025, expectations are high. Horror fans have praised the film’s serious tone, spiritual depth, and the involvement of Al Pacino in a rare horror role. Analysts suggest it may draw comparisons to classics like The Exorcist and The Conjuring, but with a more intellectual and historical twist.

Many critics believe The Ritual may reinvigorate the exorcism subgenre by shifting focus from shock to substance.

Genre Context and Cultural Impact

The exorcism subgenre has seen various waves—from The Exorcist (1973), The Exorcism of Emily Rose, to The Nun franchise. What The Ritual does differently is its prioritization of character study over spectacle.

The cultural relevance of faith-based horror remains strong, particularly in an era where spirituality and mental health are often in conflict. By setting the story in the past, the film critiques both the shortcomings and strengths of religious institutions.

Conclusion

The Ritual (2025) is more than just another possession film. It is a layered, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant story that explores the darkest corners of the human soul. With stunning performances, especially by Pacino and Stevens, a grounded historical foundation, and cinematic craftsmanship, it stands poised to become one of the most talked-about horror films of the year.

Its power lies not just in what it shows, but in what it dares to ask—about belief, evil, redemption, and the fragile line between science and spirituality.