Acting legends Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, known for his roles in "Downton Abbey," found themselves facing more than just on-screen horrors while filming "The Ritual." The two stars, while bonding over Super Bowl LVIII, experienced a real-life tornado near the set in Natchez, Mississippi. Stevens humorously recounts Googling 'What to do in a tornado' during the event.
"The Ritual," set to be released on June 6th, delves into the documented 1928 American exorcism. Based on a real-life account from Time magazine, the movie has been described as more of a horror-drama than a traditional horror film. The film stars Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger and Pacino as Theophilus Riesinger, a Capuchin monk.
Al Pacino's Fear of 'The Exorcist'
Interestingly, Al Pacino confessed that he couldn't bear to watch "The Exorcist" before filming "The Ritual." The classic horror film apparently freaked him out too much. Despite its cultural impact and the numerous exorcism movies it inspired, Pacino chose to avoid it.
'The Ritual' Review: A Serious Take on Exorcism
Early reviews of "The Ritual" highlight its serious and grounded approach to the subject matter. Dan Stevens, known for his versatility, delivers a sober performance, portraying a character dealing with a potentially demonic possession. The film presents itself as a historical document, drawing from what it claims to be the most thoroughly documented case of demonic possession in American history, that of Emma Schmidt.
Is Emma Schmidt Really Possessed?
The film subtly explores the possibility that Emma Schmidt, played by Abigail Cowen, may be suffering from mental illness rather than genuine demonic possession. While leaving room for doubt, the movie focuses on the compassionate approach of Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino) as he performs the exorcism. Whether it serves as a critique of the Catholic Church or an examination of faith remains to be seen, but it's clear that "The Ritual" aims for a more nuanced perspective on exorcism stories.
- Based on a real 1928 exorcism documented in Time magazine.
- Stars Al Pacino and Dan Stevens.
- Deals with themes of faith, doubt, and potential mental illness.
- Pacino never saw "The Exorcist" before filming.