In the haunting cinematic experience 'The Ritual,' two priests find themselves embroiled in a compelling and spiritually charged narrative that tests their beliefs and personal demons. Father Michael, beset by a crisis of faith, struggles to reconcile his childhood beliefs with the harsh realities of the world around him. Meanwhile, Father Gabriel wrestles with the shadows of a turbulent past that continues to haunt him. Their contrasting outlooks on faith create a palpable tension as they confront a malevolent force that threatens to consume the innocent and upend their very souls.
As the two priests come together, the task ahead is not just one of overcoming spiritual adversity but also of navigating the intricate web of their past experiences. They must learn to trust one another despite their differences. This collaboration is crucial as they embark on the dangerous expedition of performing an exorcism that is fraught with peril. Each step they take is laden with the torment of their unresolved issues, and as they delve deeper into the exorcism, the boundaries of their beliefs are pushed to the limit. The palpable sense of dread amplifies the stakes, revealing just how far they are willing to go to face the darkness that looms before them.
Amidst the ever-looming threat, 'The Ritual' becomes a profound exploration of faith, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil.Throughout the film, viewers are invited to reflect on how past traumas can shape one's perspective on faith and how overcoming personal fears is integral to fighting larger forces of darkness. As the priests face an unrelenting evil, they must not only defend those they seek to help but ultimately confront the demons that lie within themselves. This gripping narrative encapsulates a journey of courage, conviction, and the enduring question of what it truly means to believe.
Critics' Reviews
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The film can’t quite decide whether it believes in demons or not. Emma is housed in a convent, so the resident nuns join the exorcism effort, doing most of the work, suffering most of the horror and getting little of the credit, as is the way of these things. There’s an interesting undertone of patriarchal dismissal in both priests’ attitudes to the women at times, though not to the extent of making them unsympathetic to modern audiences in a way that might have been interesting, nor in making the nuns central to the story. But worse, the film can’t quite decide whether it believes in demons or not. There’s a lot of chat about the psychological roots of Emma’s distress, and Steiger’s role as a sceptic seems primed to offer a could-go-either-way take on the supernatural, much like The Exorcism Of Emily Rose. But ultimately it comes down on the side of the macabre without much hedging, which feels like a missed opportunity, and forces everyone involved to confront their own demons. Literally.
Main Cast of The Ritual
Dan Stevens
Father Joseph Steiger
Dan Stevens' portrayal of Father Joseph Steiger in the 2017 horror film "The Ritual" is a haunting embodiment of a character caught between devotion and despair. Stevens brings a nuanced intensity to the role, capturing the tormented essence of a man grappling with his faith amidst the dark and foreboding forest that serves as the film's backdrop. His performance is characterized by a careful balance of vulnerability and a chilling sense of authority, as he navigates the psychological and supernatural terrors that beset his character. Stevens' Father Joseph is a man whose spiritual convictions are tested to their limits; his descent into madness is conveyed with a raw authenticity that not only anchors the film's eerie atmosphere but also provides a poignant commentary on the human condition when faced with the inexplicable and the unknown. His interactions with the group of friends lost in the woods are fraught with an unsettling mixture of benevolence and menace, leaving viewers unsure of his true intentions until the film's climactic revelations. Stevens' ability to evoke both sympathy and suspicion is a testament to his skill as an actor, making Father Joseph Steiger a memorable and complex addition to his repertoire.
Abigail Cowen
Emma Schmidt
Abigail Cowen delivers a compelling performance as Emma Schmidt in the horror thriller 'The Ritual', which, while not the central character, serves as a catalyst for the film's eerie proceedings. Her portrayal of a young woman caught in the throes of an ancient, malevolent force is both haunting and emotionally resonant. Cowen's ability to convey a sense of innocence juxtaposed with an underlying darkness that her character embodies adds a chilling layer to the narrative. Her scenes, though limited, are pivotal and executed with a raw intensity that lingers with the audience, setting the stage for the film's descent into primal terror. Abigail's performance is a testament to her range as an actor, as she navigates the complexities of Emma's character arc with a captivating blend of vulnerability and malice, ensuring that her impact on the film is felt long after the credits roll.
Crew of The Ritual
Full backstage crew list →