XYZ Films has provided Beliefnet with an exclusive clip showing Patricia Heaton (“The Middle,” “The Unbreakable Boy”) for the first time as Mother Superior in the June 6 release “The Ritual.”
The film, also starring Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, and Camila Giraldo, portrays the true story of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession prompted a series of exorcisms that lasted from August 18 to December 23, 1928, in Earling, Iowa.
It is regarded as the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.
The story was adapted and written for the screen by David Midell and Enrico Natale and directed by Midell.
As the priest at Saint Joseph’s in Earling, Iowa, Father Joseph Steiger (Stevens) lived a quiet dutiful life, tending to his flock. In the fall of 1928, Father Steiger was approached with an urgent concern.
For years, 46-year-old Emma Schmidt (Cowen) had experienced frightening blackouts, aversion to holy objects, and other unspeakable afflictions. Her suffering was documented in medical evaluations, mental hygiene reports, and personal diaries.
After extensive psychiatric treatment provided no relief, Emma’s priest recommended a more spiritual remedy: a solemn exorcism. A secluded convent in Father Steiger’s parish was chosen as the site for the ritual.
Despite significant reservations, Father Steiger agreed to oversee the exorcism. Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino), a mysterious Capuchin friar, whose previous experience with exorcism made him a controversial figure, was assigned to carry out the task.
Heaton’s Mother Superior is mostly concerned with the safety of all involved, including the nuns under her care as well as Emma. In the clip provided, she speaks with authority during the ritual. In a recent interview with MovieWeb,
Heaton, who is Catholic, spoke about signing on to do the film. Although it was influenced by her faith, she also jumped at the chance to work with a Hollywood legend:
"When I heard that Al Pacino was doing this movie, I didn't even ask what the script was. 'Yes, I'll do it.' [It is] right up my alley as a Catholic, it's about an exorcism, and it's also a true story,” she said.
With Emma’s arrival in Earling, a darkness began to grow around the convent and unexplainable incidents began to occur; through first-hand interviews, memoirs, and other forms of documentation, what emerges is a tapestry of dark forces, human frailty, and temptation that tested even the most steadfast of those involved. The months-long ordeal that followed would push all within the convent, including Father Steiger, Father Theophilus, and Emma herself, close to the edge of insanity.
Finally, after a marathon 72-hour exorcism, Emma was freed from her affliction, and was able to utter the name of God once more. She lived out the remainder of her life in peace. The exorcism of Schmidt remains the most thoroughly documented, and widely publicized exorcism in American history.
“The Ritual,” starring Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen, Maria Camila Giraldo, Meadow Williams, Patrick Fabian, Patricia Heaton and directed by David Midell, will release June 6 from XYZ Pictures. See the exclusive clip featuring Heaton here.
