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The Ritual poster

The Ritual

Movie 2025 98 min Horror, Drama, Thriller Checked by Dan S · 24 Sep 2026
Official Rating MA 15+ ClearAge 15+

What we flagged

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Violence
Moderate
Sex and Nudity
Mild
Frightening
Strong
Language
Mild

Our take

A horror drama about a 1928 exorcism case, starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens. Strong horror and injury detail include possession scenes with vomiting, contorted bodies and a crushed hand with blood. References to childhood neglect and abuse appear in dialogue. No official MA 15+.S. rating is listed; best for teens 15+ who handle strong possession horror.

Uplifting themes

Faith and perseverance show through, though the story stays bleak The clergy risk themselves to help someone in spiritual crisis

Story (may spoil tone)

Two priests, one in crisis with his faith and the other confronting a turbulent past, must overcome their differences to perform a risky exorcism.

What we flagged

View all categories

Violence
Moderate
Sex and Nudity
Mild
Frightening
Strong
Language
Mild

Details

Violence Moderate Exorcism scenes include hair ripping, hand crushing and flesh-slicing w…

Exorcism scenes include hair ripping, hand crushing and flesh-slicing with blood smears

Language Mild An infrequent f-word plus milder insults in religious horror dialogue

An infrequent f-word plus milder insults in religious horror dialogue

Sex / nudity Mild A sexualised possession touch on a clothed breast; no sex scene

A sexualised possession touch on a clothed breast; no sex scene

Drugs / alcohol No drugs found in this title

No drugs found in this title

Frightening Strong Prolonged possession horror, distorted voices and jump scares dominate…

Prolonged possession horror, distorted voices and jump scares dominate the tone

Self-harm / suicide Moderate Characters harm themselves under demonic influence during exorcism sequ…

Characters harm themselves under demonic influence during exorcism sequences

Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title

No bullying found in this title

Gore / death / weapons Mild Blood smears and gloppy gore accompany possession injuries; weapons sta…

Blood smears and gloppy gore accompany possession injuries; weapons stay minimal

Dangerous behaviour Mild Ritual and exorcism practices read as supernatural, not as instruction

Ritual and exorcism practices read as supernatural, not as instruction

Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title

No eating found in this title

Mental health Mild Faith crisis and trauma surface around the possessed woman's history

Faith crisis and trauma surface around the possessed woman's history

Gambling No gambling found in this title

No gambling found in this title

Grief / bereavement Mild Loss and spiritual mourning sit under the priests' mission

Loss and spiritual mourning sit under the priests' mission

Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

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Talk after watching

  • Faith and fear collide in exorcism stories. How do films portray belief without preaching?
  • Based-on-true-events horror blends history and scares. What parts are fact versus drama?