Al Pacino Battles Demons in True Exorcism Horror ‘The Ritual’

The devil is in the details this summer as The Ritual, a harrowing supernatural horror rooted in historical fact, arrives in UK and Irish cinemas on 30 May. Starring screen icon Al Pacino and genre regular Dan Stevens, the film is inspired by the infamous case of Emma Schmidt, whose documented exorcisms in 1928 remain some of the most chilling accounts in American religious history.

Directed by David Midell and co-written with longtime collaborator Enrico Natale, The Ritual promises to deliver a grounded yet terrifying portrait of spiritual warfare. Pacino steps into the role of Father Theophilus Riesinger, a German-American priest whose real-life attempts to banish the demonic from Schmidt’s tormented body became legend within Catholic and paranormal circles alike. Stevens portrays Father Joseph Steiger, a younger priest whose scepticism and fractured past make him a reluctant ally in the fight for Emma’s soul.

The film also stars Ashley Greene as Sister Rose and Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt, whose possession drives the film’s emotional core. Cowen, known for her breakout role in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, takes on the physically and psychologically demanding role of a woman plagued by unseen forces, delivering a performance that walks the fine line between torment and strength. Supporting cast includes Patricia Heaton as the Mother Superior, as well as María Camila Giraldo, Ritchie Montgomery and Emily Brinks.

The trailer, released earlier this month, has already generated online buzz for its raw tone and lack of spectacle-driven horror, opting instead for slow-building dread and claustrophobic atmosphere. Drawing comparisons to The Exorcist and Saint Maud, The Ritual appears less interested in overblown theatrics and more focused on personal faith, trauma and the weight of belief. Its 1920s setting is rendered with stark authenticity, from candlelit convents to shadow-drenched confessionals, adding to the sense of dread that permeates every frame.

This is far from a quick cash-in on demonic horror trends. The filmmakers’ previous work, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, was praised for its authenticity and moral complexity. That approach appears to carry over into The Ritual, which avoids exploitative shock in favour of character-driven tension and religious horror steeped in historical accuracy.

Pacino’s involvement marks a rare foray into the horror genre for the veteran actor, bringing gravitas and gravely-voiced intensity to a role that demands conviction as much as confrontation. Stevens, fresh off the success of Abigail and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, brings a nervy unpredictability to the screen, rounding out a cast that adds weight to the film’s ambitious spiritual themes.

The Ritual will open in UK and Irish cinemas from 30 May, with its US release to follow on 6 June.

The Ritual trailer