We haven't had a good exorcism horror film released this year so far, forcing us to watch some older hits on repeat. But things are about to change this summer. XYZ Films is set to release a new exorcism movie, and judging by the newly released teaser trailer, I'd say we're in for a terrifying experience!
The film, titled The Ritual, is based on true events, much like many other exorcism movies. It's based on the true story of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose alleged demonic possession became one of the most documented and disturbing cases of demonic possession in history. Two priests, Father Theophilus Riesenger and Father Joseph Steiger, worked together to drive the demons out of her by performing an unusually long exorcism. In the end, the exorcism was reportedly successful, and Schmidt is believed to have lived a peaceful life going forward.
I don't know about you, but this film's connection to real-life horrors only makes it all the more unsettling. We first learned of The Ritual back in April 2024 when it was announced that XYZ Films had acquired the worldwide rights to the film. Oscar winner Al Pacino and Dan Stevens were announced to lead the cast as two priests tasked with saving an allegedly demonically possessed young woman through a series of intense and perilous exorcisms. Pacino had signed on to play Father Theophilus Riesinger while Stevens took on the role of Father Joseph Steiger.
This isn't Pacino's first horror movie role. He previously starred as Satan in the 1997 supernatural horror film The Devil's Advocate. Stevens is in no way new to the horror world either, having previously starred in the horror flicks Vamps, Apostle, The Rental, Cuckoo and Abigail.
Also joining them in The Ritual cast are Ashley Greene (Sister Rose), Abigail Cowen (Emma Schmidt), Patricia Heaton (Mother Superior), Ritchie Montgomery (Chester), and several others. In addition, David Midell helmed the film as well as co-wrote the script with Enrico Natale. Natale is also a producer on the project, along with Andrew Stevens and Mitchell Welch.
Although we provided the thrilling teaser above, we decided to share it again below just in case you missed it!
Do you have your calendar up and ready? If so, mark off the date Friday, June 6, 2025, as this is when this gripping exorcism horror will hit theaters nationwide. There are two major theatrical horror releases coming out this same month, and they are 28 Years Later and M3GAN 2.0. However, these movies will be released in late June, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch The Ritual first.