The Ritual (2025) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online & Why This Exorcism Tale Misses the Mark
David Midell’s The Ritual (2025) arrives with big expectations and an even bigger cast—Al Pacino and Dan Stevens star in this dramatization of the infamous 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt, often touted as “the most documented exorcism in American history.” Yet, despite its chilling source material and stellar talent, The Ritual feels like a ghost of what it could have been—a film with plenty of spiritual struggle, but not much cinematic soul.
In this in-depth review, we’ll explore what works, what doesn’t, and where you might be able to stream or rent The Ritual once it becomes available.
The Plot: Priests, Possession, and Pacing Problems
The story centers on two Catholic priests—Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens), a man battling a crisis of faith, and Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), a grizzled exorcist with unwavering conviction. They are called to perform a harrowing exorcism on Emma Schmidt (played by Abigail Cowen), a young woman whose apparent possession threatens to destroy her mind, body, and soul.
The tension between the two priests is meant to offer narrative depth, yet the film’s structure and style undercut any emotional resonance the characters might have. Their dynamic is functional at best, uninspired at worst.
Performances: A Misuse of Legends
Let’s address the elephant in the room—Al Pacino. He’s an acting legend, but The Ritual gives him surprisingly little to do. For a role that could have delivered memorable gravitas or even a bit of theatrical madness, Pacino stays subdued. It’s not a bad performance, just one constrained by a script too afraid to take creative risks.
Dan Stevens, usually captivating, plays Father Steiger with such rigid seriousness that his internal faith conflict comes off more tedious than tragic. Abigail Cowen, however, shines in her role. She is convincingly tormented, switching between vulnerable innocence and malevolent rage with chilling ease. Her performance stands out in an otherwise lackluster production.
Direction and Style: Found Footage Fatigue
One of the film’s most controversial choices is its pseudo-documentary, handheld filming style. Presumably intended to enhance realism and intimacy, the approach feels wildly mismatched with the 1920s setting. Viewers expecting a historical horror piece are instead met with a visual aesthetic that recalls The Office more than The Exorcist.
The constant zooms, shaky cuts, and awkward camera angles are distracting. Instead of immersing the audience, the cinematography breaks the illusion. The production design does little to reinforce the time period, often relying on dim lighting and gray backdrops to mask the film’s budget constraints.
Themes & Missed Opportunities
There’s a fundamental issue at the heart of The Ritual: it has nothing new to say.
The exorcism genre is ripe for subversion, reinterpretation, or at the very least, reverent execution. But here, we get a retelling that checks every genre box without daring to color outside the lines. The script is serviceable, yes, but painfully predictable. Jump scares arrive on cue, theological debates lack depth, and there’s never a moment where the film feels alive with fresh perspective.
Worse, the film seems afraid to truly examine the mental health implications behind Emma’s “possession,” opting instead for religious dogma and fantasy gore.
Streaming Availability in the U.S. (as of June 2025)
As of the time of writing, The Ritual (2025) is not yet available on any major streaming platforms in the United States, either for subscription-based viewing or rental/purchase.
You can monitor its availability via JustWatch here:
👉 Check availability on JustWatch
Likely Streaming Predictions
Given its modest box office performance and relatively low-profile release, it’s unlikely The Ritual will land on premium platforms like Netflix or Max. However, based on similar releases, we predict the following:
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Possible Subscription Platforms (within 2-4 months):
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Peacock
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Paramount+
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Hulu (via FX/Hulu deal, depending on rights)
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Likely Rental & Purchase Options:
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Amazon Prime Video
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Apple TV/iTunes
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Google TV / YouTube Movies
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Vudu
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Keep checking JustWatch to stay updated.
Final Verdict: Better Left Unwatched
The Ritual had every ingredient to deliver a new take on an old genre: a true story backdrop, A-list actors, and an eerie premise rooted in religious lore. Unfortunately, none of it sticks.
Instead of being a compelling, slow-burn horror with thematic depth, the film feels like a BuzzFeed-produced template—choppy editing, awkward tone, and uninspired storytelling. It’s not scary, it’s not fresh, and it doesn’t even have the guilty pleasure factor of an over-the-top exorcism flick.
If you’re a horror completist or a die-hard Al Pacino fan, maybe give it a go. For everyone else, your time would be better spent rewatching The Exorcist or even The Pope’s Exorcist.
Have you seen The Ritual (2025) or are you waiting for it to drop on streaming? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to bookmark JustWatch to catch it as soon as it becomes available.
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