- Feb 5, 2002
- 178,959
- 64,230
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
A new movie promises to tell the story of an exorcism performed by Catholic priests in the United States. Based on true events, the film is about helping vulnerable people, according to the writer and director.
“It’s a story of a group of people who come together and put themselves at really great personal risk and have to summon up a lot of bravery and courage in order to help a woman who is really suffering,” David Midell, writer and director of “The Ritual,” said.
Midell spoke with Our Sunday Visitor about his latest film, which hits theaters nationwide June 6. The movie follows the well-documented exorcism of Emma Schmidt, also known as “Anna Ecklund,” that took place at a convent in Earling, Iowa, in 1928. The one hour, 38-minute film boasts an all-star cast that includes Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen and Patricia Heaton.
The movie was filmed at Saint Mary Basilica in Natchez, Mississippi, with the support of the rector, Father Aaron Williams, and the local diocese, the Diocese of Jackson. Father Williams also served as a consultant on set.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
“It’s a story of a group of people who come together and put themselves at really great personal risk and have to summon up a lot of bravery and courage in order to help a woman who is really suffering,” David Midell, writer and director of “The Ritual,” said.
Midell spoke with Our Sunday Visitor about his latest film, which hits theaters nationwide June 6. The movie follows the well-documented exorcism of Emma Schmidt, also known as “Anna Ecklund,” that took place at a convent in Earling, Iowa, in 1928. The one hour, 38-minute film boasts an all-star cast that includes Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen and Patricia Heaton.
The movie was filmed at Saint Mary Basilica in Natchez, Mississippi, with the support of the rector, Father Aaron Williams, and the local diocese, the Diocese of Jackson. Father Williams also served as a consultant on set.
Continued below.

Meet the man directing a new exorcism movie based on true events
Based on true events, "The Ritual" follows a harrowing 1928 exorcism in Iowa, exploring faith, courage and the fight to help the vulnerable.
