Review: ‘The Ritual’ stands on ceremony to a fault

Most depictions of exorcisms are violent. The possessed is forced to endure painful internal battles in which the invading spirit or demon tortures its victim from within, often inflicting physical wounds with no apparent cause. The mental anguish also becomes unbearable — first no one believes in the supernatural affliction, and when they finally do the aggrieved must endure their excruciating attempts to cast the evil out. Some film narratives are based on true stories and not all of them are resolved happily. Belief is at the centre of many of these tales, including the latest depiction, The Ritual.

Father Steiger (Dan Stevens) is taken aback by the request to perform an exorcism at his parish. But the application has already been approved by his superior (Patrick Fabian) and Steiger is being informed so he can make the necessary preparations. A young woman named Emma (Abigail Cowen) arrives alone. Her medical records suggest she suffers from mental health issues, but no one has been able to pinpoint a diagnosis. Father Riesinger (Al Pacino) is convinced her suffering is caused by a possession, so he’s accepted the task of performing the exorcism. The ritual is performed over several nights and requires the help of Steiger and at least two nuns. But each day, Emma’s condition worsens and she becomes a greater threat to everyone around her.

The film is based on a true story, dramatizing the 1928 sacramental. It’s said to be the most thorough documentation of demonic possession in the United States, based on the detailed notes taken by Steiger. Of course, medical science, particularly around mental health, was still developing at that time, so it’s difficult to say what truly troubled Emma — though many of the things that occur within the confines of her room would be challenging to explain by conventional means. Riesinger is aware he’s surrounded by faithful experiencing doubts about their circumstances, but he’s committed to saving Emma’s soul and will take whatever help he can get to do it.

Unfortunately, this is a rather dull recreation of the same real events that served as one of the inspirations for The Exorcist. It’s not scary or even disturbing, so it fails to be a horror movie. It lacks strong emotions, so it doesn’t cut it as a drama. It’s most like a religious procedural that’s primarily concerned with relating the facts of the case versus creating an entertaining picture. It’s not without a few moments that may cause viewers to gasp or cringe in disgust, but they’re understated and don’t leave a lasting impression. Night after night they pray over Emma and she goes through the motions, but in spite of the minor variances in her responses to the rituals, it starts to feel tedious.

Even though the low-budget film features a well-known cast, including Pacino, Stevens, Ashley Greene and Patricia Heaton, they can’t make the movie more than it is and in a subgenre with some excellent and iconic entries, it needs to be more.

Director: David Midell
Starring: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens and Ashley Greene