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In the realm of horror, the possession film carves out a unique niche, appealing to our primal fear fueled by the belief that these eerie occurrences could potentially happen. The Exorcist by William Friedkin, once the reigning champion of horror films, is a testament to this fascination.
But let's steer clear of any illusions regarding "The Ritual" by David Midell. Even though the film boasts Al Pacino, it pales in comparison. Set in 1928, it follows the exorcism of Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen) by Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), as documented by Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens).
From the get-go, we're led to believe we're in for a ride with the intertitle promising the most famous and documented case of possession. Yet, it never truly delivers. The heavy, unsubtle music and sloppy editing make for an ineffective Scary Movie 101 approach.
The film's aesthetics are a letdown too. It fails to create the intended atmosphere or convince us it's set nearly a century ago. Instead, we're left in a haze of déjà vu reminiscent of other exorcism films like The Last Exorcism and The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Unfortunately, this uninspired masquerade fails to scare or impress. It's neither scary nor competent. In fact, the devil must be chuckling at this shallow attempt to convince us of its non-existence.
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For Your Viewing Pleasure
Notice: Some of the recommendations and content provided may not be suitable for all audiences
The Ritual (2025) - A film receiving mixed to negative reviews, lurking in the shadows of the possession subgenre.
The Exorcist (1973) - A horror classic, hailed for its revolutionary approach to demonic possession and lasting impact on the genre.
In the world of entertainment, particularly movies-and-tv focused on horror and possession, "The Ritual (2025)" seems to miss its mark, falling short of the impactful storytelling found in classics like "The Exorcist (1973)". Despite featuring talent such as Al Pacino, it struggles to carve out a unique French niche in the genre.
