The Ritual

Synopsis

The Ritual, starring Al Pacino and released in 2025, weaves a dark tale of suspense and supernatural horror. The story follows a group of individuals drawn into an ancient and sinister ritual that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare. As they confront chilling forces beyond comprehension, their deepest fears and secrets surface, testing their will to survive. With eerie atmospheres and intense performances, the film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural realm, creating a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Cast

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  Al Pacino

  Father Theophilus Riesinger

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  Dan Stevens

  Father Joseph Steiger

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  Ashley Greene

  Sister Rose

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  Abigail Cowen

  Emma Schmidt

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  Patricia Heaton

  Mother Superior

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  Patrick Fabian

  Bishop Edwards

Reviews

Critically, The Ritual received predominantly negative reviews. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 4.7/10, indicating mixed to unfavorable audience reception. Rotten Tomatoes scores it at a mere 8%, reflecting overwhelming critical disapproval, with many reviewers citing a weak script and lackluster pacing as major flaws. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes notes that despite Al Pacino's strong presence, the film fails to deliver on its suspenseful premise. Metacritic assigns it a score of 33/100, denoting generally unfavorable reviews. Critics from notable outlets highlighted inconsistencies in tone and underdeveloped characters, reducing the film’s potential impact: "The Ritual squanders its chilling setup with predictable scares and sluggish narrative progression," remarked one reviewer. Conversely, some fans appreciated the atmospheric elements and Pacino’s performance, suggesting that with a stronger screenplay, the film could have been more compelling. Overall, The Ritual was seen as a disappointing addition to the supernatural horror genre, failing to resonate widely with critics or audiences alike.