David Midell‘s (The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain) The Ritual is all set to release in theaters on June 6, 2025, a film that tells the harrowing true story of Emma Schmidt’s exorcism, a case that left an indelible mark on history.
Directed by Midell and co-written by Enrico Natale (The Big Shot), The Ritual takes us back to 1928, when the small town of Earling, Iowa, became the backdrop for one of the most documented exorcisms in American history. The film boasts a powerhouse cast, with Al Pacino (The Devil’s Advocate, Insomnia) portraying Father Theophilus Riesinger, the controversial exorcist. Dan Stevens (Cuckoo, Apostle) plays Father Joseph Steiger, the priest who oversees the ritual, while Ashley Greene (It Feeds, the Twilight franchise) and Abigail Cowen (Witch Hunt, Stranger Things) round out the ensemble.
In anticipation of the film’s release, we felt compelled by the power of Christ to prepare a list of some of our favorite exorcism-themed films you can enjoy before or after The Ritual:
WHEN EVIL LURKS (Demián Rugna)
When brothers Pedro (Ezequiel Rodríguez) and Jimmy (Demián Salomón) discover a demonic infection festering in a local farmhouse – its very proximity poisoning the local livestock – they seek to evict the victim from their land. But, failing to follow the proper rites of exorcism, their rash actions unwittingly unleash a possession outbreak across their rural community. Facing an encroaching evil that corrupts and mutilates everyone it touches, the brothers must turn to a wizened ‘cleaner’ who wields the only tools capable of containing this supernatural pandemic.
Why it’s on this list: Demián Rugna’s previous film, Terrified (2017), was a supernatural masterpiece in its own right, but When Evil Lurks cranks the dial even higher. A possession-meets-zombie movie of sorts, this film needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. The narrative couldn’t be tighter, it’s absolutely no-holds-barred, and it gets as visceral as they come (without ever being gratuitous). A certain dog scene will never leave your brain. One of the most unsettling and unpredictable horror films ever made.
THE EXORCISM (Joshua John Miller)
Directed by Joshua John Miller (The Mao Game), from a script he wrote with M.A. Fortin – both creators of the hit series Queen of the South and the writers/producers of The Final Girls – The Exorcism follows troubled actor Anthony Miller (Russell Crowe) as he spirals out of control while filming a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins of the Fear Street trilogy) suspects he may be relapsing into addiction, but there could be a more sinister force at work.
Why it’s on this list: With decades of horror in its DNA, this film is as meta as it is chilling. Joshua John Miller’s father, Jason Miller, portrayed Father Karras in The Exorcist, and horror seems to run in the family. A layered look at performance, trauma, and the thin line between possession and psychosis, The Exorcism is as self-aware as it is unsettling.
THE WAILING (Na Hong-jin)
A mysterious illness spreads in a rural Korean village, causing violent deaths and madness. As suspicion and fear grow, a bumbling police officer seeks answers from shamans, strangers, and the supernatural.
Why it’s on this list: The Wailing blends shamanic exorcism, Christian symbolism, and Korean folklore in a narrative full of ambiguity and dread. It’s a masterclass in atmosphere and escalating horror, with a final act that will leave you questioning everything you thought you understood.
THE MEDIUM (Banjong Pisanthanakun)
Shot in a mockumentary style, this Thai-Korean co-production follows a film crew documenting a shaman in rural Thailand—only to witness the terrifying spiritual inheritance passed to her niece.
Why it’s on this list: Produced by The Wailing’s Na Hong-jin, this film flips expectations by rooting possession in Southeast Asian animist traditions. Its raw, documentary realism contrasts horrifyingly with the chaos that eventually unfolds.
THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN (Adam Robitel)
A documentary crew sets out to chronicle Deborah Logan’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, but soon discovers something far more sinister at play.
Why it’s on this list: At first glance, this might look like another found footage possession flick, but it’s elevated by a genuinely heart-wrenching performance from Jill Larson and some unforgettable third-act imagery. The Taking of Deborah Logan finds horror not just in demons, but in the loss of self.
THE CLEANSING HOUR (Damien LeVeck)
Max (Ryan Guzman) and Drew (Kyle Gallner) are the masterminds behind a massively popular webcast that streams supposed “live exorcisms” to millions of eager viewers. The catch? It’s all fake—carefully staged productions with paid actors and a whole lot of tech wizardry. But during one ill-fated broadcast, the possession turns out to be horrifyingly real. One of their “performers” becomes genuinely possessed, and the demon takes the crew hostage on-air. As viewership skyrockets, the demon turns the show into a grotesque game show of confessions and consequences—forcing the hosts and their team to reveal the darkest parts of themselves, or die trying.
Why it’s on this list: With exorcism films being a dime a dozen, The Cleansing Hour manages to deliver a genuinely inventive spin by fusing the genre’s religious horror roots with the voyeuristic thrill and performative toxicity of influencer culture. Damien LeVeck turns a clever premise into a tight, fast-paced, and surprisingly character-driven horror film that skewers fame-hungry hypocrisy without sacrificing scares. A true standout from Shudder’s 2020 lineup, and proof the sub-genre still has some damnation left to give.
THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE (Chris Sparling)
In the fall of 1976, a modest psychology lab in Pennsylvania became ground zero for the only government-confirmed case of demonic possession. As the inexplicable phenomena escalated, the U.S. military seized control of the lab under the guise of national security. What followed was a chilling attempt to study—and ultimately weaponize—the malevolent entity. Only now, nearly four decades later, is the classified footage and testimony being made public.
Why it’s on this list: Faux-documentary horror is a niche that, when done right, can hit disturbingly close to home—and The Atticus Institute nails the format. Writer-director Chris Sparling (Buried) pulls off a Lake Mungo meets The Quiet Ones hybrid, swapping out exorcist priests for government agents and injecting fresh (and frighteningly plausible) Cold War paranoia into the possession formula. The film largely sidelines religious iconography, opting instead for realism, psychological unease, and a slow-burning descent into institutional horror.
STIGMATA (Rupert Wainwright)
A young woman (Patricia Arquette) begins experiencing the wounds of Christ—stigmata—after coming into possession of a stolen rosary. A Vatican priest (Gabriel Byrne) is dispatched to investigate and uncovers a suppressed gospel and a divine mystery.
Why it’s on this list: A slick, late-90s take on Catholic horror that throws science, mystery, and religious rebellion into the possession blender. The soundtrack and visuals scream MTV-era, but the ideas are provocative and surprisingly subversive.
THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE (Scott Derrickson)
Told through a courtroom drama lens, this film follows the trial of a priest accused of negligent homicide after a young woman dies during an exorcism.
Why it’s on this list: Scott Derrickson’s grounded, fact-meets-faith approach makes Emily Rose one of the most haunting and plausible exorcism films ever made. Jennifer Carpenter’s performance is still jaw-dropping nearly 20 years later.
THE EXORCIST (William Friedkin)
When young Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) begins to display terrifying behavior, her mother seeks help from doctors, psychologists, and eventually, the church. Enter Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) and Father Karras (Jason Miller), who confront not just the demon Pazuzu but also their own doubts, guilt, and mortality.
Why it’s on this list: You don’t get to make a list like this without The Exorcist. This 1973 classic didn’t just define the genre – it set a bar that few films have ever reached. It’s not only one of the scariest movies ever made, but also one of the most thoughtful, deeply human portrayals of spiritual warfare ever committed to film.
The Ritual hits theaters nationwide on June 6, 2025.
