Al Pacino (The Godfather trilogy) and Dan Stevens (Godzilla X Kong) will star in exorcism horror, The Ritual. David Midell reteams with fellow creative partner on The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, Enrico Natale, and directs from a script they wrote.
Based on a true story, The Ritual follows two priests – one questioning his faith (Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Pacino) – who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms.
The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.
The Ritual also stars Ashley Greene and Abigail Cowen. Natale is also producer alongside Andrew Stevens and Mitchell Welch.
XYZ Films acquired worldwide rights to the pic. The label will take the title to the Cannes market this month as it readies a 2025 release.
Pacino is repped by CAA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox. Stevens is represented by CAA, Julian Belfrage Associates, and Peikoff Mahan Law Office. Midell is repped by XYZ Films.
