It’s nothing new for a demonic possession horror film to claim to be “based on a true story.” While many of these films rely on real events, of course, there’s a significant of massaging the truth that’s going on, as well. Such will likely be the case for The Ritual, a horror starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens that is based on the case of Emma Schmidt, a young woman whose demonic possession lasted decades, culminating in an extensive exorcism lasting from August 18th to December 23rd, 1928.
Directed and co-written by David Midell, The Ritual stars Pacino as the real-life Father Theophilus Riesinger, who is struggling with his faith, and Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger, who has own troubles to overcome.
SYNOPSIS: Based on a true story, ‘The Ritual’ follows two priests—one questioning his faith (Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Pacino)—who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.
Also in the cast are Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt/Anna Ecklund, plus Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, Ritchie Montgomery, Maria Camila Giraldo, Emily Brinks, Enrico Natale, Liann Pattison, and Courtney Rae Allen.
XYZ Films will release The Ritual in theaters on June 6th.
