Film: The Ritual
Cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, Patricia Heaton, Patrick Fabian, María Camila Giraldo, Meadow Williams
Director: David Midell
Rating: * 1/2
Runtime: 98 min.

Al Pacino in an exorcism movie might have been an unexpected pleasure if only it had not been so woebegone. “The Ritual” is the umpteenth retelling of the exorcism of Emma Schmidt, a Midwestern woman who allegedly was a victim of demonic possession in the late 1920s. It’s mostly a cut-piece version with none of the thrills or dramatic fervour expected of this kind of story.

Based on the real-life case, this drama is relatively restrained, rather unlettered, with none of the big-ticket effects seen in a big-budget effort.

Set in 1928, a troubled teenager, Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), is brought by the Vatican to an Iowa convent by a cardinal (Patrick Fabian) for the girl’s parish to attempt a solemn sacrament.