Al Pacino and Dan Stevens Exorcise Demons In The Ritual

Al Pacino and Dan Stevens Exorcise Demons In The Ritual

Chilling Horror Based on the Most Documented Exorcism in American History
Opening in UK and Irish Cinemas 30 May

Prepare for a cinematic descent into terror as Al Pacino and Dan Stevens star in The Ritual, an exorcism horror film that blends bone-chilling suspense with a haunting true story. Directed by David Midell (NightLights), this upcoming thriller promises to redefine the genre.

Altitude will release the chilling horror The Ritual, in UK and Irish cinemas from 30 May. Starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, the film is a faithful and terrifying depiction of the case of Emma Schmidt, whose alleged decades of demonic possession culminated in a series of exorcisms in 1928.

Inspired by the harrowing real-life accounts of Father Theophilus Riesinger, The Ritual follows two priests grappling with inner demons while attempting to save a young woman, Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), from a malevolent force. Pacino stars as Riesinger, a seasoned exorcist wrestling with his faith, while Stevens portrays Father Joseph Steiger, a priest haunted by his past. Their fraught partnership becomes the linchpin of a deadly battle against an ancient evil that tests their resolve and humanity.

The film’s premise taps into the visceral fear of the unknown, weaving a narrative that director Midell describes as “a collision of doubt and devotion.” With scenes filmed in the eerie backdrop of Natchez, Mississippi, the setting amplifies the story’s oppressive atmosphere, immersing audiences in a world where faith is both a weapon and a weakness

The film stars Academy Award-winner Al Pacino (The Godfather trilogy) and Dan Stevens (Abigail), with Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga) and Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) rounding out the cast. The Ritual was directed by David Midell (The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain), who co-wrote the film with Enrico Natale (Catalyst).

Pacino, who once famously portrayed the Devil in The Devil’s Advocate (1997), now faces off against demonic forces in a role that showcases his mastery of intensity and nuance. Stevens, fresh off his turn in the horror hit Abigail, delivers a gripping performance as the tormented Steiger, blending vulnerability with steely determination. Their chemistry drives the film’s emotional core, offering a dynamic rarely seen in exorcism tales.

Check out the trailer below:

What makes The Ritual uniquely terrifying is its roots in reality. The film draws from the documented exorcisms of Anna Ecklund (renamed Emma Schmidt for the film), a woman subjected to multiple rituals in the early 20th century. Screenwriters Midell and Enrico Natale meticulously researched historical records, ensuring the film respects its origins while heightening cinematic dread. As one BuzzFeed reviewer noted after watching the trailer, “The line between fact and fiction blurs into pure nightmare fuel” 

The Ritual will be playing in UK and Irish cinemas from 30 May

Visit Altitude.film for more information

Distributor: Altitude
Theatrical Release Date: 30 May

Short Synopsis: Based on True Events. The harrowing true story of the exorcism of Emma Schmidt, and the two priests who went to war with Satan to save her soul.
Director: David Midell

Writer: David Midell and Enrico Natale
Cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen
Run Time: 98 Mins
Cert: TBC

Further Reading

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