Los Angeles Faces Another Exorcism Flick: ‘The Ritual’ Stars Al Pacino and Dan Stevens in a Reheated Horror
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David Midell’s film ‘The Ritual’ aims to inject new life into the exorcism genre, but the end result feels all too familiar and unoriginal. Set in Los Angeles, the movie features notable actors including Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, alongside Ashley Greene, Patricia Heaton, and Abigail Cowen.
The plot follows a conventional exorcism storyline that lacks novelty. Despite a talented cast, the narrative does not offer any fresh or engaging elements. The performances are solid, yet they cannot lift the film beyond typical horror clichés.
Key points about the film include:
- Pacino and Stevens’ roles feel repetitive compared to their previous work.
- The supporting cast is underused due to limited character development.
- The visual style strives to create atmosphere with lighting and settings but fails to bring innovative scares.
- The film leans heavily on familiar possession and ritual tropes without new insights.
While ‘The Ritual’ may attract fans loyal to the exorcism subgenre who enjoy its typical narrative beats, it may disappoint those looking for memorable moments or psychological depth. The predictable story reduces its impact, making this film just another recycled entry in horror.
Ultimately, viewers seeking a fresh, groundbreaking horror experience—especially in Los Angeles—might find that ‘The Ritual’ relies too much on star appeal and traditional scares rather than innovation.
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