One of the most infamous and enigmatic cases of demonic possession is that of Anna Ecklund, a story that continues to captivate and mystify. A few months ago, it was announced that Dan Stevens and Al Pacino would star in The Ritual, portraying two priests—one of whom (Stevens) is grappling with his faith—as they prepare to confront ultimate evil.
Today, XYZ Films unveiled an exciting update: the film, directed by David Midell, will also feature Ashley Greene and Abigail Cowen in key roles. The Ritual is slated for a theatrical release on Easter weekend, April 18, 2025.
XYZ Films has set Easter weekend April 18th, 2025 for the US theatrical release of the exorcism horror film The Ritual, starring Academy Award-winner Al Pacino (The Godfather trilogy) and Dan Stevens (Abigail), and directed by David Midell. Ashley Greene and Abigail Cowen round out the cast. The film was acquired by XYZ earlier this year just prior to Cannes, and has also sold out multiple, major international territories.
Based on true events, The Ritual follows two priests - one questioning his faith (Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Pacino) – who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.
The film was written by Midell and Enrico Natale, and produced by Andrew Stevens, Mitchell Welch and Natale.
“David Midell’s grounded aesthetic is terrifying, authentic and leaves you incredibly uneasy that these events actually happened” say XYZ’s partners. XYZ has recently signed David Midell to its management division.
New sales and production titles from the XYZ Films studio include The Trip starring Jason Segel, Samara Weaving, Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant, which is currently in production; 2024 TIFF Platform title Daniela Forever directed by Nacho Vigalondo and starring Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannó, Full Throttle Mindset starring Josh Duhamel and Lukas Gage, Flesh of the Gods, directed by Panos Cosmatos and starring Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac, He Bled Neon with Joe Cole and Rita Ora, Kill Me with Allison Williams and Charlie Day, Free Fall starring Zachary Levi and directed by Zoë Bell, Sundance title Skywalkers: A Love Story, which sold to Netflix, Blackberry starring Gotham and Independent Spirit-award nominee Glenn Howerton, which was released by IFC Films, Ash starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul and directed by Flying Lotus, and the Netflix Original Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy and Forrest Whitaker.
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