XYZ Films has unveiled the official trailer for The Ritual, an upcoming horror film that delves into the terrifying world of exorcism. Starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, the movie is inspired by the true events behind the infamous case of Emma Schmidt, which led to the creation of the 1935 book Begone Satan! and ultimately influenced William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist.
The Ritual centers on two priests—one struggling with his faith (Stevens) and the other grappling with a troubled past (Pacino)—who must join forces to perform a series of harrowing exorcisms in an attempt to save a young woman’s soul. According to the film’s official synopsis, their journey into the supernatural is fraught with danger and profound personal turmoil.
Directed by David Midell, best known for NightLights and The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, The Ritual brings Midell’s signature tension and atmosphere to the exorcism genre. He co-wrote the screenplay with Enrico Natale, a producer on Midell’s previous film The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain. The movie is produced by Natale, Ross Kagan Marks, and Mitchell Welch, with Lee Broda, Walter Josten, Chris Paladino, Jeff Rice, and Jordan Wagner serving as executive producers. The Ritual is slated to hit theaters on June 6.
In addition to Pacino and Stevens, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Ashley Greene (Twilight), Abigail Cowen (Redeeming Love), Patricia Heaton (Space Jam), and Maria Camila Giraldo (Crescent City). Patrick Fabian, known for his role as Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul, also stars as Reverend Marcus, an evangelical minister who leads a documentary crew to investigate a supposed case of demonic possession in rural Louisiana. Fabian’s prior experience in the exorcism genre—he starred in the 2010 horror film The Last Exorcism—adds an intriguing layer to his character.
With The Ritual set to arrive in theaters this summer, fans of horror and exorcism films can expect a gripping, spine-chilling experience when it debuts on June 6.
