From Fact to Fear: The Ritual Revives the True Story That Inspired The Exorcist
XYZ Films has dropped the official trailer for The Ritual, a gripping new horror drama inspired by the chilling true story that gave rise to William Friedkin’s 1973 classic, The Exorcist. The upcoming film is directed by David Midell and stars Academy Award winner Al Pacino alongside Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens.
The story at the center of The Ritual is based on the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt—also known under the alias Anna Ecklund—considered one of the most documented cases of demonic possession in U.S. history. The case, which later became the basis for the Catholic account Begone Satan!, involved a series of harrowing exorcisms conducted by Capuchin priest Father Theophilus Riesinger.
The story at the center of The Ritual is based on the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt—also known under the alias Anna Ecklund—considered one of the most documented cases of demonic possession in U.S. history. The case, which later became the basis for the Catholic account Begone Satan!, involved a series of harrowing exorcisms conducted by Capuchin priest Father Theophilus Riesinger.
In the film, Pacino portrays Father Riesinger, with Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger, a local pastor who assists in the terrifying rites. Abigail Cowen plays the afflicted Emma Schmidt, whose spiritual torment unfolds in a small Midwestern town gripped by fear and religious fervor.
The cast also features Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, and María Camila Giraldo in supporting roles. The trailer teases an atmospheric, high-stakes battle between faith and evil, echoing the intensity of The Exorcist while leaning into a historically grounded narrative.
“We wanted to honor the facts but also explore the psychological and spiritual toll such an experience would take,” said director David Midell in a statement. “It’s not just about possession—it’s about belief, fear, and sacrifice.”
The Ritual hits theaters nationwide on June 6, 2025, and is already drawing buzz for what could be one of the most unsettling horror films of the year.
Watch the official trailer for The Ritual here:
