It’s a tale as old as time – and not because the actual Beast from Beauty and the Beast is in it either! David Midell’s upcoming horror film, The Ritual, sees Al Pacino and Dan Stevens star as priests coming together to put a seemingly possessed girl, Emma Schmidt, (Abigail Cowen) through a number of exorcisms. The scariest part? It’s all based on the true story of Anna Ecklund, a woman who experienced repeated exorcisms from ages fourteen to forty-six, starting in the late 1800s.
One of the upcoming horror movies for 2025, The Ritual will be released on May 30. However, those who attended Cineworld’s sixth Secret Screaming event were able to watch The Ritual early – and the cinema-goers had plenty of thoughts. We’ve rounded up their reviews from X below.
Missed out this time? You can watch another horror film ahead of its release at Cineworld’s Secret Screaming 7 event on June 2.
BOOK SECRET SCREAMING 7 TICKETS
While exorcisms in horror might feel like a tried and tested subsection of the horror genre, for one X user, The Ritual still proved utterly captivating.
I thought it was very intense and absorbing. A very good effort of a clichéd type of horror. I feel this could be a cult movie. Cinematography and editing key to atmosphere.
— Lee-San Al-Gaib (@leejmcv2) May 27, 2025
And many were pleasantly surprised by both Al Pancino and Dan Stevens' involvement in the project.
A decently shot and acted exorcism movie.
— Michael 🏳️🌈 (@mjgamson) May 27, 2025
Pacino probably gives one of strongest and most restrained performances in recent years. Steven’s is solid.
It was creepy enough if all just a little slow.
One X user was particularly absorbed by performances from our two leads. And that’s on acting.
Took me till the credits to realise it was Al Pacino and the beast from beauty and the beast. Great performances from the both
— Jake S Goudie (@JakeSGoudie) May 27, 2025
Horror with a side of motion sickness, anyone?
Haha, I found it quite effective and unsettling -had no clue Al Pacino and Dan Stevens were the leads, that was a nice surprise.
— Mark (@markyturbs) May 27, 2025
Think I'd have liked someone to hold the camera still once or twice for a bit of relief!
Hard relate on getting a little flustered with Dan Stevens on the screen. One thing does come to mind, though, and... We don’t know how to tell you this, Andrew Scott, but another priest is coming for your brand.
something something hot priest Dan Stevens
— Trisarahtops (@Sarahtrix19) May 27, 2025
One thing seems to be for certain, though. Baptisms required all around after watching The Ritual.
i think i need some holy water
— harv (@harvv) May 27, 2025
We're also totally here for a bit of post-cinema deep-diving. You go, Lorna!
Loved it , spent the evening reading about it
— Lorna Adair (@lorna_adair) May 28, 2025
Lastly, from this X user The Ritual gets a 7/10, but hopefully we (Cineworld) get an 11/10 for our Secret Screamings!
Absolutely LOVE the secret screamings! Pleaaaase keep doing this. 🤞🏻👏🏻🔥 Also The Ritual was a good 7/10! Not my favourite possession movie but pretty decent! 👌🏻
— Scottish Cosy Gamer (@Vickyann29) May 27, 2025
Don't forget Secret Screaming 7 is coming next week, with tickets on sale now!
BOOK SECRET SCREAMING 7 TICKETS
.jpg)
.png)
