New Film Inspired by the Real Story Behind “The Exorcist” Debuts May 30
Acclaimed actors Al Pacino and Dan Stevens are set to headline The Ritual, a chilling new horror film inspired by the true events that sparked the 1973 classic The Exorcist. Directed by David Midell, the movie dives into the infamous 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, an incident that has long haunted both religious history and popular culture.
In The Ritual, Pacino plays Father Theophilus Riesinger, a devout and seasoned exorcist, while Stevens portrays Father Joseph Steiger, a younger, more skeptical priest. Their characters are based on the real-life clergymen who performed the controversial ritual. This exorcism was later documented in Carl Vogel’s 1935 book Begone Satan!, which influenced filmmaker William Friedkin when creating The Exorcist.
The newly released trailer for The Ritual features all the classic elements of the exorcism genre: discussions of divine warfare, possessed individuals restrained in fits of convulsion, disturbing voices, and furniture flying across rooms. The story follows two clergymen with opposing beliefs as they confront a terrifying evil—and their own shaken faith.
Pacino delivers a commanding presence as the elder priest, declaring, “We are God’s army in this battle,” while Stevens’ character questions the spiritual approach, asking, “What if what she really needs is a doctor?” Their philosophical conflict mirrors the dynamic between Father Merrin and Father Karras in The Exorcist, grounding the film in familiar yet emotionally intense territory.
The film’s official synopsis reads: “When the Church authorizes an exorcism for Emma Schmidt (played by Abigail Cowen), two priests divided by doubt must confront an unimaginable force—and their own inner demons.” Cowen joins the cast alongside Ashley Greene and Patricia Heaton, who also play key roles in the story.
While audiences already know how most cinematic exorcisms tend to end, The Ritual promises to bring fresh intensity and psychological depth to the genre. Viewers will find out whether this is indeed a day for deliverance when the film hits UK cinemas on May 30.
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