The Ritual

2025

Drama / Horror / Thriller

37
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 9% · 67 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 52% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 4.5/10 10 3535 3.5K

exorcism based on true story demon demonic possession possesion somber

Director

David Midell Photo
David Midell

Top cast

Al Pacino Photo
Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger
Dan Stevens Photo
Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger
Patrick Fabian Photo
Patrick Fabian as Bishop Edwards
Ashley Greene Photo
Ashley Greene as Sister Rose
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB.x265 2160p.WEB.x265
906.08 MB
1280*640
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+
1.82 GB
1920*960
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 100+
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 biancahuttner 5 / 10

Camera work lets it down

It's not a natural state for human beings to view the world in constant shaking, zooming in and odd angles - this felt like I was watching the world from a boat on waves. It really lets everything else down, and what could have been a great horror, becomes a motion sickness misadventure.The atmosphere is great, leading actors are of course a stellar choice and the plot is (although been done a thousand times), solid. If you can get past whatever on earth the director was thinking giving the cameraman orders to 'shake like you're filming this on drugs' - it's not too bad. Last sentence: IMBD can you stop this ridiculous minimum character count.
Reviewed by running_with_scissors 3 / 10

Camera made me sea sick...

I know the reviews aren't great but I like Pacino and Dan Stevens, plus I'm usually overly forgiving with these type of movies, so I would have got some enjoyment from it.I said would have because I couldn't get very far into it.The reason was the camera which was so distracting. It was shaking with random zooms and unnecessary camera angles. I don't think I've experienced anything like this before, and hopefully nobody will attempt it ever again.Baffling choice for such a movie. I guess if the director didn't want anyone to focus on his movie for a split second, then mission accomplished.
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.
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