DVD Corner

The Ritual (2025) Blu-ray Review

“The Ritual” shows there is no life left in the exorcism horror subgenre.

2025’s “The Ritual” (not to be confused with 2017’s “The Ritual”) is a true story based film written by David Midell and Enrico Natale. The story takes place in Earling, Iowa in the year 1928. Father Joseph (the Priest at St. Joseph’s) learns that Father Theophilus is performing an exorcism of a suffering young woman (Emma) at St. Joseph’s. Father Joseph (who recently lost his brother to suicide) is skeptical that she is possessed and is medically unwell and seems to be having a crisis of faith. As Father Joseph takes notes and observes the exorcism alongside several nuns who are assisting, the exorcism process and rituals begin to take their toll on everyone involved. Can Emma be saved?

Directed by David Midell, “The Ritual” is proof positive that the exorcism/demonic possession horror subgenre has no creativity left. The well has run dry as it were. One would think that tackling a much documented true story would benefit the film as a whole, but alas David Midell relies heavily on tedious sequences, cheap jump scares, and cliches galore. Perhaps the film’s greatest sin is the cinematography by Adam Biddle. This is one of the most visually uninteresting films in recent memory. Biddle’s dreadful work hampers the film with the extreme close-ups, poorly framed shots, and shaky cam shots. 

“The Ritual” commits yet another sin by generally wasting the talents of a fine cast. If you’re putting Al Pacino in a movie, you would think it would at least be worth watching just for him. He’s one of the great actors after all. While it is fun to see Pacino commit to a role in a horror film, he doesn’t have much to do here. Dave Stevens (an actor of many faces) is also dedicated to the part of Father Joseph and at least has more of a character arc to work with. Ashley Greene and Patricia Heaton are solid in their respected roles, but it’s Abigail Cowen as Emma who does the best work here. Even though the film is as bland as can be, Cowen gives a convincing and very physical performance of a suffering demonically possessed woman.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.00:1 1080p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. Grade: B+

Extras:
* “The Making Of The Ritual” contains set footage, cast and crew interviews, and discussions about this project, production, and cast.
* “Keeping The Faith”- A featurette about the church the movie filmed at.
* “The Script”- A featurette on the story and characters.
* “Based On A True Story” is all about the real story the film is based on.
* “The Buzzfeed Interviews”- Cast interviews. 

September 2, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Exorcism Movie, horror, Possession Movie, The Ritual (2025) Blu-ray Review