By Kayla DeKraker
Al Pacino opened up why we wanted to create his latest movie, THE RITUAL, which follows two priests who work to set a possessed woman free.
“It drew me because one, it was a true story,” Pacino told Movieguide®’s Jeremy Carroll. “…the idea that it was true and the idea that in it was a conflict between the priest and the exorcist, and in a way that was interesting that…it took it out of the area of just, you know, like explosions and crazy things and put it into some sort of conflict, which I thought was drama.”
Movieguide®’s synopsis of the plot reads, “THE RITUAL is a horror movie about the exorcism of a woman named Emma Schmidt in 1928. Two priests, Father Joseph Steiger and Father Theophilus Riesinger, try to rid Emma of a demon possessing her. They perform seven rituals to expel the evil spirit. Horrifyingly, Emma’s condition gets worse with each ritual.”
The real-life exorcism of Schmidt occurred in Iowa in the early 1920s and lasted four months.
Though a horror movie, Pacino, who plays Father Theophilus, shared what he hopes audiences will get from this film.
“An experience, that they have an experience,” he said. “It seems in the end pretty much that is part of what makes a film work.”
His costar Abigail Cowen talked about what it was like to work with such a legendary actor.
“You were such an inspiration. I mean he’s been so so encouraging and so incredible to me,” she said.
Cowen, who played Schmidt, explained how she was excited by the challenge THE RITUAL posed.
“I saw that challenge and I loved that there were so many layers. I was excited to figure out how to hopefully portray those layers,” she explained. “It was daunting, but…it’s rewarding when you find those moments and you get to work with amazing actors that help you find them and are really willing to collaborate with you. It’s a definitely a team effort.”
Movieguide® notes that THE RITUAL “has a strong Christian, biblical worldview from a Catholic perspective” and that “people pray, read Scripture, repent, and more.” However, the film “has some scary moments and strong but brief foul language.”
The movie’s director David Midell told TIME that regardless of people’s opinions on the exorcisms and demon possession, one thing remains true: “Spiritual or psychological, what cannot be denied is the profound suffering experienced by Emma Schmidt, and the bravery and fortitude required by those who came together to alleviate her suffering.”
THE RITUAL is a powerful reminder that spiritual warfare is real and that Jesus is the only way to freedom.
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