Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Ritual.

Given that it served as partial inspiration for the influential 1973 horror film The Exorcist, the actual exorcism of Emma Schmidt (also known as Anna Ecklund and Mary X) is understandably remarkable. However, the extent to which the story’s religious aspects are factual remains open to interpretation.

The Ritual, currently playing in theaters, claims to be based on Schmidt’s real exorcism, which occurred in a remote convent just north of Earling, Iowa, in late 1928. In the film, writer-director David Midell (NightLights, The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain) portrays Schmidt’s problems as demonic possession rather than mental illness or other factors. This choice positions the movie as a horror film, despite a concluding title card that acknowledges some people doubt this version of events.

Although Schmidt (portrayed by 27-year-old Abigail Cowen, despite Schmidt being in her 40s during the events depicted) is central to the story, The Ritual primarily focuses on the conflict between the two Catholic priests overseeing the exorcism: Father Joseph Steiger (), a local parish priest, and Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), a Capuchin friar. Steiger is experiencing a crisis of faith following his brother’s suicide, while Riesinger is a devoted and somewhat controversial believer in exorcism.

This emphasis on the two male characters may stem from the fact that, as Midell mentioned in an interview in April, The Ritual is based on a 1935 booklet titled Begone Satan! This account of Schmidt’s case was compiled by the Catholic Church, which likely influenced the way the story was presented.

What happened to Emma Schmidt?

The Ritual incorporates many common exorcism horror tropes in its retelling of Schmidt’s story. Schmidt displays an aversion to holy objects, utters blasphemies, experiences violent outbursts, vomits bile, and clings to walls in an unnatural manner, among other allegedly demonic behaviors. In reality, Schmidt’s exorcism was among the last officially sanctioned by the Catholic Church, contributing to its notoriety.

As the film suggests, Schmidt, born in 1882, began exhibiting signs of supposed possession around age 14. These issues arose after Schmidt allegedly suffered abuse from her father, who was allegedly sexually interested in her, and her Aunt Mina, who was reportedly her father’s lover, a child murderer, and a witch who “had placed a spell on some herbs which she placed among the girl’s food.” However, it’s crucial to remember that in the 1800s, the term “witch” was often applied to women who challenged social norms.

Riesigner first performed exorcism rites on Schmidt in 1912. However, her symptoms later returned, pushing her to what Begone Satan! author Father Carl Vogl described as the brink of sanity. “She was conscious of some sinister inner voices that kept on suggesting most disagreeable things to her,” he wrote. “These voices tried their utmost to arouse thoughts of the most shameful type within her, and tried to induce her to do things unmentionable and even to bring her to despair. The poor creature was helpless and secretly was of the opinion that she would become insane.”

Schmidt’s final exorcism was conducted in three stages over 23 days, from August 18 to December 22, 1928. During these sessions, Riesinger claimed she was possessed by four different spirits: Judas Iscariot, Beelzebub, her Aunt Mina, and her father.

If Vogl’s account is accurate, Schmidt’s condition during this period seemed supernatural and inexplicable. However, your perspective likely depends on your trust in the Church’s word. Riesinger supposedly completed the exorcism after working on Schmidt for three consecutive days and nights without rest, allowing her to live the rest of her life relatively peacefully. Some accounts claim Schmidt experienced intermittent possession until her death. Riesinger passed away in 1936.

Regarding Midell’s personal beliefs about what happened to Schmidt, he stated in the film’s production notes that he was “struck by the scientific and fact-based approach many have taken in relation to seemingly unexplainable (i.e. paranormal) events.”

“Some have described exorcisms as Rorschach tests: those with a background in faith and religion see a spiritual struggle for the soul of a human being, while those who are more scientifically minded see a person in need of psychiatric assistance,” he said. “Spiritual or psychological, what cannot be denied is the profound suffering experienced by Emma Schmidt, and the bravery and fortitude required by those who came together to alleviate her suffering.”

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