Unbelievably, The Ritual (2025), starring the legendary Al Pacino, lands with a thud, offering no freshness despite its star power. Based on 20 critics’ reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, the film scores a dismal 0%, a harsh reflection on this exorcism horror attempt that fails to ignite.
Peter Gray from The AU Review doesn’t mince words:"A sobering reminder that reliable talent in a seemingly fruitful genre doesn’t always equate to viewing success, The Ritual deserves its own exorcism from the theatres."
Similarly, Robert Kojder at Flickering Myth slams the movie as "abysmal", lamenting that it "doesn’t even have the good sense to make this guilty pleasure entertainment by having Al Pacino ham it up, casting out demons in full ‘HOO-AHH Dunkachino’ mode."
Helen O’Hara of Empire Magazine adds to the criticism, noting that "this attempts to unite period drama and demonic possession, but feels tired and overworked on both counts."
The Ritual follows two priests, played by Pacino and Dan Stevens, as they confront a terrifying demonic possession tormenting a young woman. The film explores themes of faith, guilt, and redemption, but unfortunately, its tired execution and lack of originality overshadow these elements. For horror fans hoping for a fresh take on exorcism tales, this one sadly misses the mark.
