Los Angeles Sees Al Pacino and Dan Stevens in The Ritual: An Exorcism Flick Rehashing Old Tropes
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David Midell’s new film, The Ritual, starring Hollywood legends Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, lands in Los Angeles but struggles to bring anything fresh to the exorcism genre. Joined by Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, and Abigail Cowen, the cast attempts to navigate a tired storyline filled with familiar scares and predictable plot twists.
The Ritual places its seasoned actors in the thick of an overdone subgenre that has seen countless entries over the years. Despite the impressive cast, the movie feels like a rehash of every exorcism flick we’ve seen before. The narrative follows a conventional path, relying on classic horror elements that fail to excite or offer new perspectives to audiences.
Pacino and Stevens deliver solid performances, yet even their talents can’t elevate the mundane script or the film’s uninspired direction. Midell’s approach seems safe and cautious, afraid to deviate from the formula that has defined many exorcism movies, making The Ritual feel like pure regurgitation rather than innovation.
The supporting cast, including Greene, Heaton, and Cowen, adds some depth but cannot save the film from its repetitive storyline and predictable scares. Visual effects and haunting sequences are competent but don’t leave a lasting impact.
Key Points of The Ritual
- Solid performances by Al Pacino and Dan Stevens
- Storyline filled with predictable plot twists and old horror tropes
- Supporting cast contributes but cannot elevate the film significantly
- Visual effects and sequences are good but lack originality
Overall, The Ritual is a film that fans of the exorcism subgenre might watch out of curiosity or loyalty to its stars. However, anyone craving new thrills or an original story should temper their expectations. The movie reuses every trope in the book, offering little more than a reminder of better films in the genre.
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