Al Pacino has played gangsters, lawyers, and even the Devil himself—but now, for the first time in his iconic career, he’s entering true horror territory.

At 85, the Hollywood legend is taking on a chilling new role in The Ritual, a terrifying film inspired by what many consider the most documented exorcism in history.

The film dives into the eerie real-life events surrounding Emma Schmidt, a devout Catholic woman whose terrifying ordeal with alleged demonic possession in 1928 shook the small town of Earling, Iowa—and eventually, the world.

A Real Exorcism That Shook History

The Ritual isn’t just any horror flick. It’s based on the infamous exorcism of Emma Schmidt, whose case was so extraordinary that theologian Carl Vogl chronicled it in his 1935 book Begone Satan.

The story is also believed to have helped inspire the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist.

Though some aspects of Schmidt’s life are murky, most historical accounts agree that her torment began at just 14 years old.

Raised in a strict Catholic home, she began hearing disturbing inner voices urging her to commit shameful acts.

These weren’t just intrusive thoughts—Vogl’s accounts describe her behavior as violent, sexually deviant, and aggressively anti-religious.

A Terrifying Sensitivity to the Sacred

Schmidt’s bizarre sensitivity to religious symbols became one of the most frightening aspects of her possession.

She was known to violently react to holy water and would fly into a rage if a holy object—even one hidden—was nearby.

She once even refused to eat a meal simply because it had been secretly sprinkled with holy water.

Despite these disturbing symptoms, medical experts at the time could find no signs of mental or physical illness.

Her First Exorcism: A Mysterious Beginning

Emma’s first exorcism took place in 1912, conducted by Father Theophilus Riesinger—the very role Al Pacino plays in The Ritual.

There’s little public record of how that session went, but it apparently wasn’t enough to rid her of the dark forces haunting her.

Some even speculated that Schmidt was possessed by her Aunt Mina, who was rumored to be a witch.

Others pointed to her own father, who had allegedly tried to initiate an incestuous relationship and may have cursed her after she refused.

The 1928 Exorcism: 23 Days of Hell

It wasn’t until 1928—almost two decades after the first attempt—that Father Riesinger returned to try again.

This time, he brought along another priest, Father Joseph Steiger (played by Dan Stevens in the film).

Together, they took Schmidt—using the pseudonym “Anna Ecklund” to protect her identity—to a convent in Earling, Iowa.

There, over three separate sessions across four months, the exorcism unfolded in horrifying detail.

Riesinger claimed Schmidt was possessed by four demonic entities, including her father.

During the ritual, she was said to levitate, vomit, make guttural animal sounds, and contort her body in grotesque ways.

For three straight days and nights, Riesinger didn’t rest—battling the spirits relentlessly until they were finally expelled.

What Happened After the Exorcism?

Schmidt survived the ordeal. According to some sources, she went on to live a relatively peaceful life, though others claim she experienced occasional flare-ups of possession until her death.

Her case remained mostly under the radar until a 1936 article in Time magazine titled Religion: Exorcist & Energumen exposed the story to a much wider audience.

Bringing the Chilling Story to the Big Screen

Now, nearly a century later, Emma Schmidt’s harrowing experience is being brought to life in The Ritual.

Directed by indie filmmaker David Midell, the movie stars Al Pacino as Father Riesinger and Dan Stevens as Father Steiger.

Rising star Abigail Cowen plays Emma, the woman at the center of this horrifying true story.

While Pacino has played psychologically intense roles in films like The Devil’s Advocate, Insomnia, and 88 Minutes, this marks his first official dive into the horror genre.

A Legend Faces the Devil

For a man who’s faced off against mob bosses and courtroom chaos, taking on demonic forces might seem like a logical next step.

Still, it’s a bold and unexpected move for the veteran actor.

But if there’s anyone who can stare down the Devil—again—it’s Al Pacino.

And with The Ritual, horror fans will finally get to see him do just that.