Overview

• The film dramatizes Emma Schmidt’s 1928 Iowa exorcism, featuring Al Pacino as Father Theophilus Riesinger and Dan Stevens as Father Joseph Steiger.
• Reviewers contend that the narrative recycles well-worn exorcism tropes without offering fresh insights or suspense.
• Director David Midell’s handheld cinematography, intended to evoke a documentary feel, has been called disorienting and distracting.
• Abigail Cowen’s portrayal of Emma Schmidt earns praise for bringing emotional depth to an otherwise underwhelming production.
• Despite marketing emphasis on its “based on a true story” claim, critics question the film’s historical accuracy and character details.