The Ritual movie review: Even Al Pacino can't save this spiritless exorcism tale
The Ritual review: In The Ritual's own words, it is based on a true story, captured in a priest's notes from an exorcism, and is 'the most thoroughly documented case of demonic possession in American history'.
It may also be the most lifeless. Or so it is in the hands of Midell, also the co-screenwriter, who makes no one squirm in their seats – forget turn in their graves – in this dalliance with the Devil.
The possessed in this case is a young girl called Emma (Cowen), who has been brought to a parish in Iowa in 1928 after doctors have failed to treat whatever is eating her up from the inside. The parish priest is Father Steiger (Stevens) – it is his notes The Ritual is based on – and the priest doing the exorcism is Father Theophilus (Pacino).
Father Steiger is the amiable priest types, not above a prank or two with the Sisters. It is Sister Rose (Greene) who seems to have his special attention, but that may just be the devil in me talking.
Father Theophilus anyway doesn't allow Father Steiger much time for anything, and goes about setting up the exorcism ritual (actually seven small rituals) the moment he arrives at the parish church. It's a cheerful enough red-brick building, but its grounds with lonesome statues, empty swings and deep shadows provide the atmosphere for what is going to happen within the walls.
A lot does happen, but a lot of the same, same. Sudden snarling and attacking, rolling of the eyes, twisting of the limbs, levitating of bodies, bruising of limbs, hissing in varied languages, things moving, walls cracking – nothing you haven't seen before.
What you may not have, and which gives The Ritual a ghost of a chance, is that it explores what having such a presence in their midst is doing to the church, its priest and its sisters. You have to think so given how many times they use the word 'profoundly', or rub their faces and cover their mouths in shock.
Also Read | Deep Cover movie review: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom starrer is funny and self-aware when it's not
None of that for Pacino, though, the wily old fox who has seen it all before. But him in this role… we need not have seen that.
The Ritual movie director: David Midell
The Ritual movie cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Abigail Cowen, Patricia Heaton, Ashley Greene
The Ritual movie rating: 1.5 stars
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