Not since Paul Schrader’s ill-starred “Exorcist” entry “Dominion” in 2004 has an exorcism-centric thriller taken itself fairly so critically as “The Ritual.” Primarily based on a real-life case, like director David Midell’s prior “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain,” this extra fantastical drama is a comparatively restrained effort much less focused on normal horror results than the occasions’ psychological influence on their individuals. Nonetheless, its integrity and ready performers solely accomplish that a lot to raise a reluctant style film that emerges as relatively dreary — not in contrast to “Dominion,” albeit minus theological discussions. With Al Pacino and Dan Stevens topping the forged, XYZ Movies’ launch ought to lure in some style followers. Nonetheless, their disappointment could also be salved solely by the thought that it is a particular style enchancment over the abysmal “The Exorcist: Believer” from two years in the past. 

Midell’s function is billed as being primarily based on “the true story that impressed ‘The Exorcist,’” although William Peter Blatty’s unique novel was purportedly extra influenced by a 14-year-old Maryland boy’s alleged demonic possession within the ’40s. Right here, the supply is accounts of Emma Schmidt, a middle-aged midwesterner who had already been suffering from inexplicable behaviors earlier than being turned over to Catholic authorities in 1928 for emergency religious intervention. As a result of clergy concerned documented the exorcisms (which befell over 4 months), her travails are nonetheless thought-about by believers as one of many strongest proofs for occult possession being an precise factor. 

The film’s a lot youthful model of Schmidt — performed by Abigail Cowen, who’s in her late twenties and will move for a teen — arrives at St. Joseph’s as a frail, frightened and passive presence. Nuns of the convent are tasked together with her fundamental care, whereas parish priest Father Joseph Steiger (Stevens) is charged with preserving a written document of no matter happens throughout her keep. All of them assume that Emma’s true downside is psychiatric. They see little purpose to maintain her in restraints as really useful by Father Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino), the visiting Capuchin friar who’ll carry out “sacred rites” of exorcism. 

That seems to be an enormous mistake. Emma herself could also be a innocent sufferer, however no matter’s bought maintain of her is artful, malicious and violent. It’s quickly terrorizing the novices, along with concentrating on skeptic Steiger and younger Sister Rose (Ashley Greene) as weak hyperlinks within the circle of religion. Sufficient havoc is wrought that the Mom Superior (Patricia Heaton) insists Emma be moved to the establishment’s basement. But wherever its everlasting residents go, and nonetheless firmly secured their troubled visitor is, these servants of the church sense a mocking, evil entity working free.

There’s nothing right here you haven’t seen earlier than: Furnishings strikes round by itself, lights flicker and exit. Emma’s battered physique exhibits proof of merciless inner warfare, whereas the demon additionally inflicts grievous hurt on others who foolishly get too shut. That foul being is aware of issues it shouldn’t about our protagonists, imitating voices of lifeless family members to control them. Via all of it, Pacino’s aged friar stays stoic — he’s apparently been by the likes of this earlier than. (The actual Riesinger had certainly already tried to exorcise Schmidt as soon as, in 1912 Wisconsin.) 

You would possibly count on 85-year-old Pacino to chew surroundings on this lurid supernatural context. As an alternative, he correctly chooses to play his Bavarian-emigre determine as a person who endures outlandish, alarming phenomena by refusing to be ruffled, sustaining a demeanor of light authority and humor. The usually professional Stevens seems much less assured than common, as if fearful that he may need gotten himself into some actual schlock.

He hasn’t, however “The Ritual” typically makes you want he had. It simply isn’t a lot enjoyable, even because it lacks the gravitas wanted to make a extra deeply unsetting impression, as William Friedkin famously managed with “The Exorcist” 52 years in the past. Cowen, who bears passing resemblance to Ashley Bell of “The Final Exorcism” (that movie’s costar, Patrick Fabian, performs a senior cleric right here), supplies a touchingly pathetic presence, every time she’s not a yelling, growling particular impact. However neither the bothered social gathering or its afflicting demon are imbued with a lot character by Midell and Enrico Natale’s script. 

There are some creepy and scary moments, but the entire feels uninspired — this director doesn’t appear terribly dedicated to the mechanics of horror, whereas the milieu and characters don’t come to vivid life in a approach that reinforces “Ritual’s” stance as extra of a strange-but-supposedly-true docudrama. As soon as the top credit roll, we’re left with the odd sensation of nonetheless ready for some cathartic climax.

The Mississippi-shot manufacturing’s bodily modesty is apt sufficient for story functions, although you would possibly want for a smidge extra assertive type from Adam Biddle’s cinematography and different craft departments. “The Ritual” deserves some appreciation for not being merely one other tacky exploitation of acquainted themes. However that doesn’t redeem the truth that, in the long run, it’s a little bit of an earnest slog — an exorcism film extra tame than bedeviled.