Questions

What is the plot?

The film opens with a priest walking down the corridors of a convent, hearing loud groans and shouts from a room. When he opens the door, he is shocked to see the shadow of a woman leap unnaturally high toward the ceiling. This scene is set as a prologue, then the story rewinds nine days to October 1928 in Earling, Iowa.

Father Joseph Steiger prepares for his sermon in the small farming town. He is visibly disturbed due to the recent death of his brother. After the sermon, Bishop Edwards visits him and informs him about a troubling case involving a young woman named Emma Schmidt. Emma is suffering from convulsions, shouting devilish names, and reacting violently to the sight of the church. Despite numerous medical and psychological evaluations, no diagnosis has been made. Bishop Edwards hands Steiger a psychological report, indicating that Emma’s condition requires a different, spiritual approach.

Father Steiger meets Father Theophilus Riesinger, an experienced exorcist who has been called to assist with Emma’s case. The two priests have contrasting personalities and approaches: Steiger is struggling with his faith and grief, while Riesinger is stern and resolute. They begin the exorcism process, which is planned to last 23 days and is divided into three major stages.

During the early stages of the exorcism, Emma exhibits extreme symptoms: she vomits strange substances, levitates, and speaks in multiple languages including Latin, German, Spanish, and Aramaic. These manifestations confirm the presence of demonic possession. Steiger continues his daily Mass duties but is physically and emotionally drained. The Mother Superior notices the toll the ritual is taking on him.

As the exorcism progresses, Steiger finds renewed purpose and begins wearing a St. Michael devotional medal, which has the Saint Benedict Medal on its reverse side, symbolizing his commitment to the spiritual battle. Riesinger leads the ritual with intensity, while Steiger gradually commits himself fully to the process.

The final stage of the exorcism lasts 72 continuous hours. During this time, Emma becomes increasingly violent and desperate. At one point, she runs into the convent’s catacombs, forcing the priests to pursue her. They confront her there, commanding the demons to obey Christ. The nuns simultaneously offer prayers, creating a powerful spiritual environment.

After a prolonged confrontation, Emma’s eyes open, signaling the completion of the exorcism. The demons are driven out, and Emma is delivered from possession. The film ends with Emma returning to a normal life. Father Riesinger gains media attention for his role, and Father Steiger’s journals documenting the exorcism are studied, highlighting the significance of their work.

The narrative is framed by the opening scene, which is revealed to be part of the intense final moments of the exorcism, confirming Emma’s possession and the success of the ritual.

What is the ending?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

The ending of The Ritual (2025) shows the culmination of a grueling 23-day exorcism performed by priests Theophilus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger on a young woman named Emma Schmidt. After intense physical and spiritual struggle, Emma breaks free from her restraints, levitates, then collapses lifelessly. Moments later, she opens her eyes, signaling the exorcism’s completion. Emma returns to a normal life, though rumors persist that the demons occasionally returned. Riesinger is deeply changed by the ordeal, while Steiger finds peace and documents the experience in a journal, uncertain if it was divine or psychological but certain it transformed him forever.

The ending unfolds over the final, most intense stage of the exorcism, which lasts 72 continuous hours. The scene opens with the two priests, Riesinger and Steiger, exhausted but resolute, continuing their prayers and rituals with unwavering intensity. Riesinger is obsessively praying, barely eating or sleeping, while Steiger, initially hesitant, commits fully to the ritual.

They demand the names of the spirits tormenting Emma and force them to swear obedience to Christ. Emma, bound to the bed, convulses violently, vomiting strange substances and speaking in multiple languages including Latin, German, Spanish, and Aramaic. Her body contorts in unnatural ways, and the physical toll on the priests is immense—Steiger begins to break down emotionally, while Riesinger’s faith hardens.

At the ritual’s peak, Emma suddenly breaks free from her restraints. She hovers above the bed, suspended in midair, her body limp and lifeless. Then, she crashes down onto the bed, motionless. The room falls silent. After a tense moment, Emma’s eyes open, clear and calm, signaling that the possession has ended.

In the aftermath, Emma resumes a normal life, though whispers remain that the demons occasionally returned over the years. Riesinger, though victorious, appears deeply altered by the experience, his demeanor more somber and haunted. Steiger, who had struggled with grief and doubt throughout, finds a newfound peace. He writes a journal detailing the exorcism, reflecting on whether what he witnessed was divine intervention or psychological phenomena, but acknowledging that the ordeal changed him profoundly.

This final sequence emphasizes the physical and spiritual exhaustion endured by all involved, the intense battle between faith and darkness, and the ambiguous nature of the supernatural events witnessed. The film closes on a note of cautious hope mixed with lingering uncertainty about the true nature of Emma’s possession and the cost of confronting such evil.

Is there a post-credit scene?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

The 2025 horror film The Ritual does not have any information indicating the presence of a post-credits scene. The detailed plot summary and ending description focus on the intense exorcism performed by priests Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino) and Joseph Steiger (Dan Stevens) on a possessed young woman, Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), culminating in her apparent liberation from demonic possession and the priests' personal transformations. No mention is made of any post-credits or additional scenes following the main narrative.

Other horror films from 2025, such as Bring Her Back, are explicitly noted to have no post- or mid-credits scenes, suggesting that this is a common practice for some recent horror releases. Given the absence of any reference to a post-credits scene in the available sources for The Ritual (2025), it is reasonable to conclude that the film does not include one.

What is the setting of the movie The Ritual?

The movie The Ritual is set in the small farming town of Earling, Iowa, in 1928. It primarily takes place in a convent where the exorcism of Emma Schmidt occurs.

How does Emma Schmidt's behavior change during the exorcism rituals?

During the rituals, Emma Schmidt exhibits supernatural behaviors such as levitation, speaking in multiple languages like Latin, German, Spanish, and Aramaic, and vomiting strange substances. Her body contorts in impossible ways, indicating a severe struggle with the entities possessing her.

What is the relationship between the two priests, Theophilus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger?

The two priests, Theophilus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger, initially have differences but come together to perform the exorcism. Riesinger is driven by his past and becomes increasingly obsessed with the ritual, while Steiger is questioning his faith but finds renewed purpose in helping Emma.

How does Father Steiger interact with Emma during the rituals?

Father Steiger shows compassion towards Emma, initially refusing restraints during the ritual out of concern for her well-being. He also confides in her during rare lucid moments, which helps him find a renewed sense of purpose.

What are some of the supernatural events witnessed during the exorcism?

Witnesses report seeing Emma levitate, hearing unearthly voices, and observing supernatural strength. These events are part of the intense and terrifying exorcism rituals conducted by the priests.

Is this family friendly?

The 2025 movie The Ritual is not family friendly and contains content that may be upsetting for children or sensitive viewers. It includes moderate violence and gore, moderate frightening and intense scenes, and mild sexual content and nudity. Specific potentially objectionable aspects include:

  • A scene showing a girl naked with bruises, which, although not explicit, can be disturbing.
  • A scene where a girl touches a priest in a sexual manner, though she is not naked.
  • Moderate violence and gore related to the exorcism process.
  • Frightening scenes involving possession, including a scene where the girl flies up and speaks ominously.
  • Mild profanity, including one use of the F-word.
  • No alcohol, drugs, or smoking depicted.

These elements suggest the film is intended for mature audiences and may be distressing for children or those sensitive to horror, supernatural themes, and intense religious rituals.

Who dies?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

Yes, in the 2025 film The Ritual, one character dies: Emma Schmidt. During the climactic exorcism ritual, which lasts 72 continuous hours, Emma breaks free from her bindings, hovers above the bed, and then crashes down, appearing lifeless. However, she then opens her eyes, indicating the exorcism is complete and she has survived the ordeal.

No other character deaths are described in the available information. The film focuses on the intense and violent exorcism process conducted by priests Theophilus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger to save Emma from possession. The physical and psychological toll on the priests is immense, but they survive the ordeal. Emma’s apparent death and revival mark the ritual’s peak and resolution.

In summary:

| Character | Circumstances of Death | Why | When | How | |-----------|-----------------------|-----|------|-----| | Emma Schmidt | Appears lifeless after crashing down during final exorcism stage | Result of violent exorcism ritual to expel demons | During the final 72-hour stage of the exorcism | Breaks free from bindings, hovers, then crashes down |

Emma’s death is temporary and part of the ritual’s climax, after which she revives and returns to normal life, though with lingering whispers of occasional demonic returns.