America ’s most terrifying exorcism is here .

The Ritualis one of the most intriguinghorror moviesof the year.No other American possession film has ever had a backstory like this one because the events…arereal.

Not all horror is fiction. As the film’s opening suggests, the story is based on Joseph Steiger’s transcribed events, making this one of the most well-documented exorcisms in American history.

Here are the film’s actors and the real-life people behind the main characters:

Legendary actorAl Pacinoportrays Father Theophilus Riesinger in “The Ritual.” BYOHW (Bring Your Own Holy Water).

The real-life Father Theophilus Riesinger was a German-American exorcist. It may seem odd that he isn’t wearing the white collar like so many other famous priests and exorcists, but that’s because, along with being a Roman Catholic priest, he was also a Capuchin friar.

Pacino may have lacked that mighty beard, but he still brought the duds.

Here they are side-by-side:

ActorDan Stevensportrays Reverand Joseph Steiger.

The real Reverand Joseph Steiger transcribed the eventsThe Ritualis based on, so it only made sense that the narrative moved through him in the film.

Stevens wears many hats in horror, but this was his first time donning a white collar.

Every possession film has the “possessed” character, a role played by Abigail Cowen. She portrays Emma Schmidt

The real Emma Schmidt was known under the pseudonym Anna Ecklund. Her possession was alleged to have lasted for decades. Her case was so well-documented that it received a profile in the1936 edition of TIME Magazine.

The documented claims of what happened to this girl are truly the stuff that inspires every possession horror movie. Cowen’s performance inThe Ritualbrings the terror to life on the big screen.

The Ritualhits theaters June 6. Check out the trailer before you experience the story based on America’s most frightening exorcism.

A person lies in bed, mouth open in distress, as another person holds a cross. The scene suggests a tense or dramatic moment from a film or show

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Text reads: "The following is based on true events, transcribed by Father Joseph Steiger, this story represents a major demonic possession case"

Two well-dressed men stand together on stage at an AFI event, smiling and embracing, in front of a podium with a microphone

Bearded man in long robe with cross and rosary stands outdoors by brick building

Elderly man with glasses and a hooded coat sits in a dimly lit room, looking pensive

Person in a pinstripe suit with glasses at a TV event

An unidentified man with glasses, wearing a dark suit, poses for a formal portrait against a textured backdrop

Actor portraying a somber priest looks into the distance. The image suggests a scene from a TV show or movie

Person in a sparkling, embellished long-sleeve gown poses in front of a red backdrop

I don't know who this person is, but it's a close-up black and white photo of a woman with wavy hair and a slight smile

A person with long hair looks concerned in a dimly lit room, wearing a casual top