It’s very unusual for me to agree to watch a horror movie, but when I was approached about reviewing The Ritual, something told me it was important enough to put my discomfort aside. Seeing the film didn’t turn me into a lover of horror films, but I’m glad I watched it. Finally, there is a film where the Church’s love and compassion exceed all expectations.
The Ritual is based on the true story of the exorcism of Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), carried out in 1928 by Fr. Theophilus Riesinger (played in the film by Al Pacino), a Capuchin priest and experienced exorcist. Thanks to the extensive notes taken by Fr. Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens), this exorcism is considered the most documented event of its kind in United States history.
Writer/director, David Midell, tells of how he’s always been fascinated by the intersection of science, faith, spirituality, and the human condition. Emma’s story certainly qualifies, and Midell succeeds in honoring the people involved and the Church’s immense compassion toward one of her suffering children.
As the story begins, Bishop Edwards (Patrick Fabian) comes to Fr. Steiger and tells him there is to be an exorcism in his parish. It’s only later that Fr. Steiger finds out that no other parish in the area would give Emma a space in which to be healed of her affliction. As Fr. Steiger reads over her file, he’s sure that what she really needs is a doctor, yet he concedes to the bishop’s wishes and offers Emma a room in the parish convent and agrees that the Sisters and he will help in any way they can.
Fr. Steiger’s first meeting with Emma shows his compassion. He tells her, “You’re very welcome here.” When Fr. Theophilus requests the presence of restraints for the ritual, Steiger refuses, worried for Emma. Once the ritual begins, however, he sees that they might be needed.
During the daytime, Emma seems like a normal person. Fr. Theophilus even takes her out in the gardens and has conversations with her, but during the ritual itself, Emma’s tormentors reveal themselves. As the ritual progresses, the demons that haunt her fight against the power of God being called down for them to be gone. It’s during these times the typical horror elements enter the story. There’s no pea soup projectile vomiting but she does throw up some real nasties.
For an exorcism film, The Ritual is nothing new and it’s not even that scary. There are a few spots where I jumped in my chair and covered my eyes knowing something was about to happen, but nothing super crazy.
For a consummate actor like Al Pacino, the character of Fr. Theophilus didn’t give him many challenges. His character was the most consistent in the story. Still, Pacino managed to imbue Theophilus with calm, serenity, and faith, especially in the face of the evil they were dealing with.
The best performance of the film came from Dan Stevens as Father Steiger. As a priest, he was content doing his parish ministry where nothing too exciting happened. When he agreed to host Emma, he saw it as another way to extend the mission of the Church to one of her faithful. While documenting the exorcism, he saw things that challenged his faith. Stevens excels at the difficult task of embodying his character’s uncertainty yet maintaining his desire to help end Emma’s suffering.
Steiger’s uncertainty was shared by the Mother Superior of the convent, played by Patricia Heaton. The Sisters chosen to pray during the exorcism were not unscathed either physically or mentally. Sr. Rose (Ashley Greene), in particular, suffered but never shied away from praying for and being a support to Emma.
The most edifying thing about The Ritual for me was the willingness of those conducting the ritual to suffer themselves in order to ease the suffering of another. Fr. Steiger suffered a crisis of faith and the uncertainty of what was best for Emma. Fr. Theophilus was plagued by mistakes from his past. Sr. Rose and another Sister suffered physical injury during the ritual. Mother Superior voiced that all the Sisters in the convent were traumatized by the events happening under their roof. Yet, despite all of this, they never gave up on Emma and continued the ritual to its dramatic end.
As a Catholic film critic, it’s nice to see the Church come out on top for a change. At a critical juncture in the ritual, when those around him are voicing serious doubts, Fr. Theophilus states, “Their (the demons) goal is to make us give up on God. We cannot abandon her (Emma).” And they don’t—abandon her OR give up on God.The Ritual releases in theaters on June 6th.
