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Daily Record
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
MOVIE REVIEW: We suffer frightening familiarity with horror 'The Ritual'
No emotional connection to cast and nothing on screen we haven't seen before in the possession-themed genre. Young (Dan Stevens' Father Joseph Steiger) and old (Al Pacino's Father Theophilus Riesinger) priests team up to save a possessed young girl (Abigail Cowen's Emma Schmidt) - so far, so The Exorcist. If only The Ritual was half as gripping, scary and engaging as that horror classic. Inexperienced director David Midell's film is set in 1928 but truthfully I kept forgetting this as there is so little separating it from dozens of other possession-themed outings. The main selling point of The Ritual for me was seeing Pacino make a mainstream comeback. Sadly, he looks and sounds worn out and bored - if you want to see what the legendary actor can really do in a religious horror flick check out his barnstorming turn in The Devil's Advocate instead. Midell co-wrote the script with Enrico Natale and it claims to be based on true events - 'one of the most documented possession cases in American history'. So little is done, though, to make you care about any of the characters and there is absolutely nothing here that we haven't seen on screen before. The most impressive thing about Midell's movie is that he attracted Pacino and Stevens to star in it. Stevens, in fairness, is the cast standout, with Father Steiger, having just suffered a personal tragedy, being conflicted with saving Emma and the drastic measures being taken to do so. As with any possession-afflicted victim on screen, Cowen's body is shaken and twisted from pillar to post but, as her plight is so familiar, the emotional connection just isn't there. Ashley Greene's ( Sister Rose) only purpose seems to be suffering physical abuse at the hands of Emma and all Patrick Fabian's ( Bishop Edwards) presence does is evoke memories of his role in the vastly superior The Last Exorcism. I really tried to give The Ritual the benefit of the doubt but as a horror fan who has been down this road so many times, I actually felt frustrated and fed up sitting through it. If you're new to the possession film world maybe give it a go; otherwise grab that holy water and crucifix to keep it at bay. ● Pop me an email at and I will pass on any movie or TV show recommendations you have to your fellow readers. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and more (June 24-30)
This week doesn't boast the strongest lineup for new movies, but that doesn't mean there aren't some worth checking out across the top streaming services. Whether you're into chilling horror or an explosive action thriller, there's a bit of something for every taste. The top new movie release is 'The Actor' on Hulu, a moody, surreal psychological drama about a 1950s New York performer who loses his memory after an assault and tries to rebuild his identity in a small Ohio town. Other notable picks include 'The Ritual,' arriving on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) streaming platforms, and 'A Working Man,' coming to MGM Plus, which sees Jason Statham trying to take down a dangerous criminal network. If you're after something new to watch over the next few days, you're in the right spot. And don't forget to check out our guide to the best TV news shows coming up this week, too. What was meant to be a luxurious four-day cruise from Galveston, Texas, to Cozumel, Mexico, quickly turned into a nightmare for the more than 4,000 passengers and crew aboard. An engine room fire damaged critical electrical cables, leaving the ship powerless with no engines, no refrigeration, no lights, no air conditioning, and most disastrously, no working toilets. As the days passed, untreated sewage began flooding the ship, food supplies started running low, and frustration boiled over into passenger unrest. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Trainwreck: Poop Cruise' is the latest entry in Netflix's 'Trainwreck' documentary series. This episode revisits the infamous 2013 Carnival Triumph disaster, where passengers were stranded at sea without power or plumbing, leading to unsanitary conditions and earning the event its nickname. Watch on Netflix from June 24 Following the surprising charm of last year's 'The Beekeeper,' Jason Statham teams up again with director David Ayer for 'A Working Man.' However, this new collaboration plays it much more straight, delivering a fairly conventional action thriller. That's where it loses some points. Still, if you enjoy the familiar formula of Statham's gritty heroes, this will hit the mark. 'A Working Man' follows Levon Cade, a hardworking construction foreman trying to move past his shadowy history as a decorated black ops operative. But when his employer's daughter is abducted by a human trafficking ring, Levon returns to his old, lethal ways. His quest to save her drags him back into a brutal criminal world and places his own family in danger. While critics were lukewarm on the movie, audiences responded far more positively, clearly enjoying the familiar thrills and Statham's intense presence. Watch on MGM Plus from June 26 'The Ritual' is probably one of the worst-reviewed movies of the year, currently holding a mere 6% on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm not surprised, given it stumbles for a few reasons, most notably its heavy reliance on familiar exorcism clichés that make the story feel predictable and somewhat flat. Even with big names like Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, the performances don't quite land. That said, user reviews suggest audiences found it more enjoyable than critics did. It's not a movie you need to completely avoid, but don't expect many scares, as it feels more like a dark thriller than a traditional horror flick. 'The Ritual' dramatizes the 1928 exorcism of Emma Schmidt (portrayed by Abigail Cowen), one of the most documented cases in U.S. history. Set in Earling, Iowa, the story follows two priests — Father Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino), a seasoned exorcist, and Father Joseph Steiger (Stevens), a younger priest grappling with his faith, as they perform a harrowing series of exorcisms to save Emma. In the end, this movie will likely appeal to those interested in its topic, but for others, it may fall short on delivering scares or entertainment. Buy or rent on Amazon from June 27 'The Woman in the Yard' is a movie I went into hoping for more than it delivered. But unfortunately, this Blumhouse effort doesn't quite live up to that standard. While it does offer a few genuinely unsettling moments, it mostly hovers around the 'average' rating. If you love horror, you'll probably still find something to like in this one, especially if you enjoyed both the film and book versions of 'The Woman in Black.' In 'The Woman in the Yard,' Danielle Deadwyler stars as Ramona, a grieving and physically injured mother coping with the loss of her husband after a serious car crash. Living in a remote farmhouse with her two children, Ramona's fragile hold on reality is tested when a mysterious woman clad in black suddenly appears on her front lawn. At first dismissed as a stranger in distress, the figure soon becomes a relentless and sinister presence, creeping ever closer to Ramona's home. Watch on Peacock from June 27 Duke Johnson proves himself to be a filmmaker with a distinct visual and creative sensibility, something that was already apparent in his collaboration with Charlie Kaufman on the Oscar-nominated 'Anomalisa.' With 'The Actor,' Johnson steps out on his own for his first solo live-action feature, adapting Donald Westlake's novel "Memory," which was written in the 1960s but only published decades later. That sense of temporal disorientation seeps into nearly every frame of the movie. Even if you're unfamiliar with the source material, Johnson's artistic touch is unmistakable. 'The Actor' centers on Paul Cole (André Holland), a New York actor who awakens with no memory in a small 1950s Midwestern town after a violent assault. Struggling to piece together his identity, he takes up work at a tannery and begins a tentative romance with local costume designer Edna (Gemma Chan) as fragments of his past gradually resurface. This psychological drama plays out like a haunting, noir-tinged identity mystery where no face or place feels quite real, and even Paul's own recollections are filtered through a dreamlike, stage-like aesthetic. Watch on Hulu from June 30
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The Ritual movie review: Even Al Pacino can't save this spiritless exorcism tale
The Ritual review: In The Ritual's own words, it is based on a true story, captured in a priest's notes from an exorcism, and is 'the most thoroughly documented case of demonic possession in American history'. It may also be the most lifeless. Or so it is in the hands of Midell, also the co-screenwriter, who makes no one squirm in their seats – forget turn in their graves – in this dalliance with the Devil. The possessed in this case is a young girl called Emma (Cowen), who has been brought to a parish in Iowa in 1928 after doctors have failed to treat whatever is eating her up from the inside. The parish priest is Father Steiger (Stevens) – it is his notes The Ritual is based on – and the priest doing the exorcism is Father Theophilus (Pacino). Father Steiger is the amiable priest types, not above a prank or two with the Sisters. It is Sister Rose (Greene) who seems to have his special attention, but that may just be the devil in me talking. Father Theophilus anyway doesn't allow Father Steiger much time for anything, and goes about setting up the exorcism ritual (actually seven small rituals) the moment he arrives at the parish church. It's a cheerful enough red-brick building, but its grounds with lonesome statues, empty swings and deep shadows provide the atmosphere for what is going to happen within the walls. A lot does happen, but a lot of the same, same. Sudden snarling and attacking, rolling of the eyes, twisting of the limbs, levitating of bodies, bruising of limbs, hissing in varied languages, things moving, walls cracking – nothing you haven't seen before. What you may not have, and which gives The Ritual a ghost of a chance, is that it explores what having such a presence in their midst is doing to the church, its priest and its sisters. You have to think so given how many times they use the word 'profoundly', or rub their faces and cover their mouths in shock. Also Read | Deep Cover movie review: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom starrer is funny and self-aware when it's not None of that for Pacino, though, the wily old fox who has seen it all before. But him in this role… we need not have seen that. The Ritual movie director: David Midell The Ritual movie cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Abigail Cowen, Patricia Heaton, Ashley Greene The Ritual movie rating: 1.5 stars
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Al Pacino credits daughter's childhood genius for Oscar-winning ‘Scent of a Woman' role
Al Pacino , the legendary actor celebrated for his intense and transformative performances, has revealed a deeply personal story about how his eldest daughter, Julie, profoundly influenced his iconic portrayal of a blind man in the 1992 film Scent of a Woman . Now 85, Pacino recently shared that, while preparing for the role of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, a blind, irritable retired Army officer, he turned to then 3-year-old Julie for inspiration. 'I asked my daughter, 'Hey, Julie, can you act like a blind person for me?' She did it effortlessly, no preparation, nothing. I thought, 'Wow, I can't compete with this—kids are brilliant,'' Pacino recounted in a recent interview. He emphasized that her natural ability and innocence captured the essence of the character, helping him find the authenticity that ultimately led to his Academy Award for Best Actor . Pacino, a father of four—Julie Marie, 35, twins Anton and Olivia, 24, and Roman, 2—has often spoken about how fatherhood has shaped his life and career. 'It changed my life. Focusing on other beings, particularly your children, brings a profound love,' he told People magazine last year. His youngest son, Roman, born when Pacino was 83, continues to inspire him, with Pacino sharing that engaging with his children, even through simple acts like playing the harmonica over video calls, brings him immense joy and keeps his spirit revitalized. Reflecting on his journey, Pacino credits his children not only for their influence on his craft but also for grounding him personally. 'They have that genius,' he said, 'and she [Julie] was blind and she just did it, no preparation, nothing'. As Pacino continues his career with new projects like The Ritual , his story stands as a testament to the unexpected ways family can shape even the most storied careers in Hollywood. Live Events
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
At The Movies: Karate Kid: Legends is charming in its corniness, The Ritual is beyond salvation
At The Movies: Karate Kid: Legends is charming in its corniness, The Ritual is beyond salvation Karate Kid: Legends (PG) 94 minutes, now showing ★★★☆☆ The story: After a family tragedy, martial arts prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) leaves Beijing with his doctor mum (Ming-Na Wen) for a fresh start in New York City. She makes him promise no more fights, but he is a new kid in town facing bullies. Plus, he has a beloved four-decade lore to honour. Karate Kid: Legends is the sixth film in The Karate Kid franchise dating from the 1984 Hollywood sleeper hit. It is the classic rite of passage of an outsider teen meeting a girl, Mia (Sadie Stanley), and attracting unwanted attention from her psychotic karate champion ex-boyfriend Conor (Aramis Knight). Mia's dad (Joshua Jackson) owns the neighbourhood pizzeria. He was a prizefighter, and there is a cute bit of role-reversal, where Li coaches him for a comeback match to pay off his debt. Li is otherwise the acolyte. Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan first played Shifu Han in 2010's The Karate Kid and returns as Li's revered mentor from China, while Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid, is now sensei Daniel LaRusso with a Netflix spin-off series Cobra Kai (2018 to 2025). The two masters journey in to teach Li a hybrid of Han's gongfu and LaRusso's karate, which is the teen's only chance of defeating Conor in the inevitable climactic tournament. Feature debut director Jonathan Entwistle brings together every past iteration for a remake-revival-crossover that is charming in its corniness, despite a formulaic story. Beyond the nostalgia, it introduces an Asian hero. And 25-year-old Wang (American Born Chinese, 2023) is an appealing newcomer, who reclaims the martial arts tradition with his humorous and acrobatic moves. Hot take: Part fan service, part generational update, there is much to like in this legacyquel. The Ritual (NC16) Al Pacino (right) in The Ritual. PHOTO: SHAW ORGANISATION 98 minutes, opens on June 12 ★★☆☆☆ The story: Two priests must overcome their differences and work together to free an innocent soul from the devil's grip. Emma Schmidt is the most widely publicised case of exorcism in 20th-century American history and one of the few officially sanctioned by the Catholic Church. An award-winning director of The Killing Of Kenneth Chamberlain (2019), another true account, David Midell researched the personal dairies, psychiatric evaluations and 1935 pamphlet Begone Satan! for The Ritual. Still, his dramatisation is like nothing so much as a parody of The Exorcist (1973). Al Pacino at his hammiest plays the Capuchin friar Theophilus Riesinger, a glinty-eyed emissary of 'the Lord's Army' who arrives at a secluded convent in 1928 Earling, Iowa, to do furious battle with the devil. He has previous experience as an exorcist. Father Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens) is the young parish priest reluctantly overseeing the detailed documentation of the 23-day ritual, the straight guy to Riesinger's crusty mystic. He advocates medical intervention even when Emma (Abigail Cowen) begins levitating, ejecting excrement and speaking in supernatural tongues, generally exhibiting every symptom from the religious horror playbook by week's end. Riesinger chides Steiger for his lack of faith. Their debate on science, spirituality and the human condition is without a single original thought or frisson, and the self-seriousness has only the unfortunate effect of making the glum proceedings all the campier. 'I have a sister with a torn scalp and another with a crushed hand,' Steiger reports of Emma's escalating violence. If the line does not elicit laughs, the sight of said nuns, huddled in petrified terror, surely will. Hot take: This hackneyed demonic possession thriller is beyond salvation. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
