The new Al Pacino horror movie The Ritual has stunned fans and critics by debuting with the lowest possible Rotten Tomatoes score, marking an unusual moment in Pacino’s legendary Hollywood career. Despite Pacino’s track record and a notable cast, The Ritual’s Rotten Tomatoes score has become a central point of discussion for both industry watchers and moviegoers alike.
Star-Studded Cast Faces Harsh Criticism
The Ritual, directed by David Midell, brings together a cast that includes Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene of Twilight fame, and Abigail Cowen, known for her role in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Even though the cast features some of Hollywood’s more recognized names, the film opened to a shockingly poor critical reception: a now-infamous 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. While that number has inched up to 6% as more reviews trickle in, the film’s early response was deeply negative, with analysts and viewers eager to see how audience scores will compare once they are released.
Leading review site Collider gave the movie a dismal 3/10, commending the actors for their performances given the material but criticizing the film for its uninspired cinematography and reliance on tired exorcism tropes. Other reviewers echoed these feelings, finding fault with The Ritual’s use of clichés, jarring visual style, and overall lack of originality. In contrast, the 2017 movie of the same name was celebrated by critics and fans, earning a 74% average from critics and a 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and is often listed among the best horror films in recent years.
Pacino’s History with Low Scores on Rotten Tomatoes
Although a 0% debut for The Ritual is unprecedented for Al Pacino, it is not the only film in his career to struggle critically. The only other project nearly as low was 2011’s Jack and Jill, where the Rotten Tomatoes score rests at 3%. In that comedy, Adam Sandler played both leads, with Pacino portraying a version of himself, interested in a commercial deal and an unexpected romantic subplot.
Other poorly received films starring Pacino include 88 Minutes from 2007, in which he played Dr. Jack Gramm and which netted only 5% approval. The 2003 romantic comedy Gigli, infamous in movie history, stands at 6%. By contrast, a mid-range example is The Humbling from 2014, a comedy-drama where Pacino starred as Simon Axler, reaching a lukewarm 53% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite these setbacks, Al Pacino remains cemented as one of Hollywood’s greats, known for highly acclaimed performances in classics such as The Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, Salomé, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, and, more recently, The Irishman.
The Ritual: Now Playing and Awaiting Audience Verdict
The Ritual is currently playing in theaters, despite the sharp criticism and disappointing debut score. As more audience members view the film, expectations are high for the release of its audience score, which could further shape the movie’s legacy. With acclaimed actors like Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene (playing Sister Rose), and Abigail Cowen as Emma Schmidt, the focus now turns to public reaction and whether The Ritual’s narrative or performances might spark a reassessment over time. For now, the Al Pacino horror movie The Ritual Rotten Tomatoes score remains a subject of both shock and fascination among fans and critics alike.
