Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:
- The new movie The Ritual is based on a 1928 exorcism in Iowa.
- Catholic priest Theophilus Riesinger performed the ritual on Emma Schmidt, a 40-something woman who had been suffering from possible demonic possession since she was a teenager.
- The exorcism, a grueling affair that lasted 23 days, has also inspired other books, articles, and movies.
In 1928, Catholic priest Theophilus Riesinger traveled to rural Iowa for his most difficult assignment yet: treating a woman named Emma Schmidt who was allegedly possessed by demons. A grueling four-month exorcism ensued, testing both of their wills.
Almost a century later, Schmidt’s infamous case is getting a modern retelling on the big screen as the basis of The Ritual. The new horror movie from XYZ Films arrived in theaters Friday and stars Al Pacino as a fictionalized version of Riesinger, along with Abigail Cowen as Schmidt.
The movie is based on Begone Satan!, a 1935 pamphlet documenting Schmidt’s ordeal and translated from German to English by Reverend Celestine Kapsner. Schmidt’s exorcism became one of the most famous in modern history, and details from the encounter likely inspired the most notable fictional depiction of the rite (more on that later).
Here’s a look at why the Schmidt case remains just as haunting today.
Schmidt was allegedly possessed for decades
Little is known about Schmidt’s background. According to Begone Satan!, she was born in 1882, had an elementary education, and was of “small stature.” The girl, who also went by the pseudonym Anna Ecklund, started showing possible symptoms of demonic possession at age 14.
Schmidt began hearing voices in her head, which “tried their utmost to arouse thoughts of the most shameful type within her,” and felt as though some unseen force was preventing her from participating in the sacraments. She also felt urges to suffocate a spiritual adviser.
Multiple doctors examined Schmidt, but they concluded she showed no signs of physical or mental illness and was “normal in the fullest sense.” As was common during this time, speculation shifted to the supernatural as the sensations followed Schmidt into adulthood.
Originally thought to be possessed through her Aunt Mina, a rumored witch who allegedly placed a spell on herbs in her food, Schmidt underwent a first exorcism with Riesinger in 1912. However, her symptoms continued and, sometime after her 40th birthday, plans were arranged for Riesinger to perform the ritual a second time in 1928 with the aid of the Reverend Joseph Steiger (played in the movie by Dan Stevens).
The exorcism was performed in three segments
Riesinger, born in the former Kingdom of Bavaria, was 60 at the time of his second exorcism with Schmidt. His skill in the rite was well-known, as he performed it at least 19 other times.
It was determined that Schmidt, who lived “at some distance” away, should be brought to a convent in Earling, Iowa, via train to protect her identity. The strongest nuns at the convent were chosen to assist during the ritual.
Riesinger began Schmidt’s exorcism on August 18, 1928. The ritual was conducted in three sessions lasting a total of 23 days spread over the next four months. According to Begone Satan!, the body of Schmidt—who was tightly bound to an iron bed—levitated through the air and clung to the wall of the room as Riesinger began his prayers. As the procedure went on, the demons supposedly inside Schmidt caused her to vomit repeatedly, make animal noises resembling “a horde of lions and hyenas,” and contort her body to inhuman dimensions.
As the ritual continued, Riesinger determined that Schmidt was possessed by four figures, including Beelzebub, Judas Iscariot, her Aunt Mina, and her late father, Jacob. The latter allegedly claimed he cursed Schmidt after she denied his sexual advances. The months-long ritual was completed on December 23, causing Schmidt to cry tears of joy.
Schmidt allegedly experienced more possessions
Begone Satan! alleges Schmidt experienced additional possessions throughout her life but of a milder nature. Although her case remained secret for almost a decade, it drew national attention after the 1935 publication of the book.
In 1936, Time magazine published a story titled “Religion: Exorcist & Energumen” with details of the exorcism. It reported that the Religious Bulletin of the University of Notre Dame and the Catholic Register of Denver shared the story with more than 300,000 subscribers.
Riesinger died in 1941 in Wisconsin, and although eyewitnesses corroborate the account as truth, it’s impossible to know if the priest really rid Schmidt of evil spirits or if she simply suffered from an undiagnosed mental illness. Even Begone Satan! concedes the Catholic Church made no official decision regarding the outcome of the case.
Either way, it made for a terrifying story—and future authors picked up on this.
Schmidt’s case likely inspired The Exorcist
While you likely have never heard of Schmidt, details of her exorcism probably sound familiar for good reason. It’s believed her case helped inspire William Peter Blatty’s famous 1971 horror novel The Exorcist, which was turned into the 1973 movie starring Linda Blair as a possessed pre-teen girl.
While Blatty’s primary influence was the alleged 1949 possession of a Maryland boy named Roland Doe, multiple elements of his novel correspond to the Schmidt account. According to The Ritual director David Midell, these include one priest (Riesinger) experienced in exorcisms performing the ritual with a less-seasoned colleague (Steiger), as well as the bloating, vomiting, and other physical symptoms experienced by fictional character Regan MacNeil.
“All of these elements and similarities are unique to the story of Emma Schmidt,” Midell explained. “And even though it’s impossible for us to know exactly what was going on in William Peter Blatty’s head while he was writing The Exorcist, what we do know is that he compiled an enormous amount of research. And it certainly seems like Emma Schmidt’s story is a big part of what he leaned into.”
See The Ritual in Theaters on June 6
According to a video preview on the movie’s website, multiple Catholic basilicas rejected requests to film on their grounds because of the intense subject matter. However, St. Mary Basilica in Natchez, Mississippi, allowed the film crew to use their grounds for many scenes in The Ritual.
Aaron Williams, the rector of St. Mary, spoke about why he thinks the movie resonated with star Al Pacino and will also resonate with viewers. “Al asked a question particularly involving why God would allow someone to suffer in this way and require a priest to relieve them, and those are important questions that priests have to wrestle with,” Williams said.
“The truth is important to us, right? So we want to make sure that we’re not hiding the truth, and we’re conveyed in a way that’s not going to strike fear, but in a way that’s just going to show people what we’re dealing with.”
You can see The Ritual for yourself in theaters now.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
