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The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Ritual review – Al Pacino is priestly mastermind in tale of infamous real-life exorcism
This low-budget, minor-key and – frankly – dreary horror feature offers yet another dramatisation of the 1928 exorcism of a young woman (played here by Abigail Cowen), known by her alias Anna Ecklund and her real name Emma Schmidt. The real-life ritual, which transpired at a nunnery in Iowa, was overseen by elderly German Capuchin priest Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino) and local cleric Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens) and written up as a pamphlet ('Begone Satan!') that went on to shape the public understanding of exorcisms. All that historical detail is transfused into a weak tea of a script, credited to the film's director David Midell and Enrico Natale. They have generated a work that is a little more interested in background and context instead of sweary pyrotechnics and supernatural fireworks often found in demonic-possession-themed features, the most notably The Exorcist from 1973. But we still get bits of levitation here and there, and moments when poor possessed Emma seems to free-solo the walls of the dank basement room she's locked in. At other points, she inexplicably vomits what look like tobacco leaves and speaks in a variety of exotic tongues. The men of the cloth stoically soldier on while an assortment of nuns stand by looking petrified and aghast. It's perhaps unfair to ask that a film be an entirely different creature than the one the film-makers intended to produce. But in this case, it feels a bit disappointing that the cast and crew worked so hard on the historical roots and verisimilitude stuff, and then insisted on sticking with the idea that Emma was literally possessed, instead of exploring how she might have a mental illness, coupled with childhood trauma. At least Pacino doesn't seem to be taking any of it seriously as he phones in an uncharacteristically low-volume performance whose most distinguishing feature is the Mitteleuropean accent that makes him sound as if he's reprising his performance as Shylock from The Merchant of Venice. Stevens, for his part, just looks as if he's waiting for all this to be over (not unlike the character he plays) so he can go back to working on the sort of kooky, craft-stretching roles he's been having so much fun with lately, such as his mad scientist in Cuckoo or his German-speaking android in I'm Your Man. Even so, his presence somewhat improves this schlock. The Ritual is in UK and Irish cinemas from 30 May
Tatler Asia
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
7 highly anticipated horror movies to watch in the next few months
2. 'The Ritual' – June 6 Directed by David Midell and distributed by XYZ Films, The Ritual is based on the true story of one of America's most infamous exorcisms. The film stars Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger and Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger, who unite to perform a series of dangerous exorcisms on a young woman, Emma Schmidt, portrayed by Abigail Cowen. The narrative explores themes of faith and the supernatural, promising a gripping horror experience. 3. 'Dangerous Animals' – June 6 Sean Byrne directs Dangerous Animals , an Australian survival horror film starring Hassie Harrison and Jai Courtney. Produced by Brouhaha Entertainment and LD Entertainment, the story follows a surfer who must escape after being abducted by a serial killer intent on feeding her to sharks. The film is set to premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and will be theatrically released in the US on June 12. 4. '28 Years Later' – June 20 Danny Boyle returns to the 28 Days Later franchise with 28 Years Later, a post-apocalyptic horror thriller written by Alex Garland. Starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes, the film explores a world still grappling with the aftermath of the Rage virus. As survivors navigate a devastated landscape, new horrors emerge, challenging their resilience and humanity. 5. 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' – July 18 Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, this sequel to the original I Know What You Did Last Summer films stars Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders and Jonah Hauer-King. Freddie Prinze Jr and Jennifer Love Hewitt reprise their roles as Ray Bronson and Julie James. Produced by Columbia Pictures and Original Film, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, the story follows a new group of friends who, after a fatal accident, find themselves hunted by a mysterious figure aware of their secret. 6. 'Together' – July 30 Together is a supernatural body horror movie directed by Michael Shanks, starring real-life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco. Produced by 30West, Tango Entertainment and Picturestart, and distributed by Neon, the film follows a married couple who move to the countryside, only to encounter a mysterious force that causes horrific changes in their bodies. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Together explores themes of codependency and transformation. 7. 'The Toxic Avenger' – August 29 The Toxic Avenger is set to make a theatrical return on August 29, 2025, after its premiere at Fantastic Fest in September 2023. Directed by Macon Blair and produced by Legendary Entertainment, this reboot of the 1984 cult classic stars Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze, a janitor who transforms into a mutant vigilante after a toxic accident. The cast also includes Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. Known for its blend of black comedy and splatter elements, the film pays homage to the original while introducing new twists.
