Al Pacino Stars In 'The Ritual' – A Chilling New Exorcism Film Based On A True Case

A teaser trailer has been released for 'The Ritual', a new supernatural horror film due in cinemas on 6 June. The film dramatises what is often described as the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history, the 1928 case of Emma Schmidt.

Directed by David Midell and starring Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, and Abigail Cowen, 'The Ritual' is based on real events that unfolded in a quiet rural town in Iowa. While exorcisms have long been a staple of horror cinema, this particular story has a basis in documented historical accounts, including medical reports, witness testimonies, and personal diaries.

Set in the town of Earling, Iowa, the film centres on Father Joseph Steiger, a local priest who, until that point, had led a relatively uneventful life. That changed in the autumn of 1928, when he was asked to help 46-year-old Emma Schmidt, a woman reportedly plagued by severe blackouts, an aversion to religious symbols, and other unexplained symptoms. After years of failed psychiatric treatment, her case was referred to the Church.

With some reluctance, Father Steiger agreed to host the exorcism in a secluded convent in his parish. The task of performing the ritual was handed to Father Theophilus Riesinger, a Capuchin friar whose past experience with exorcisms had earned him a formidable reputation. According to reports from the time, including accounts from those present, what followed was an intense and deeply disturbing period that tested the faith and sanity of everyone involved.

Eyewitnesses claimed that Emma's behaviour defied natural explanation. Reports included claims of unearthly voices, apparent knowledge of unknown languages, and even physical feats such as levitation. Over the course of several weeks, the exorcism unfolded behind closed doors. The film builds on these real accounts, tracing the psychological and spiritual toll on the priests as well as on Emma herself.

At the heart of 'The Ritual' is the dynamic between the two main characters: one priest, played by Dan Stevens, begins to question his beliefs as the events unfold, while the other, played by Al Pacino, is a seasoned but troubled exorcist facing his own demons. Their conflicting approaches shape the tone of the film, which is said to focus as much on inner struggle as it does on external horror.

The real Emma Schmidt reportedly found peace after the exorcism, which culminated in a final 72-hour stretch during which she was said to have been freed from the affliction. She went on to live a quiet life, and her case has since become one of the most widely referenced in discussions about historical exorcisms.

While 'The Ritual' is a fictionalised account, it draws heavily on primary source material. Schmidt's exorcism has long fascinated those interested in both religious studies and paranormal history, and was even referenced in early academic writing on demonic possession. Unlike many other reported cases, the events in Earling were officially sanctioned by the Church at the time.

The teaser trailer gives little away but sets a dark and unsettling tone, promising a story grounded in psychological tension as well as supernatural fear. With a cast that includes major Hollywood names and a historical basis that's sure to intrigue fans of real-life paranormal cases, 'The Ritual' may be one of the year's most talked-about horror films.