Film Previews

“The Ritual”

• [NYR] | 98 minutes
• Director: David Midell
• Writers: David Midell, Enrico Natale
• Stars: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene

“The Ritual” follows two priests —  one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) —  who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.

“The Phoenician Scheme”

• PG-13 | 101 minutes
• Director: Wes Anderson
• Writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola
• Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Jeffrey Wright

Infamous tycoon Zsa-Zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) orchestrates the “Phoenician Scheme,” a convoluted plan to dominate a Middle Eastern economy through exploitative mining, fishing and slave labor while manipulating agriculture to induce famine. His shady consortium includes associates like Marty (Jeffrey Wright), Cousin Hilda (Scarlett Johansson), and his Rasputin-esque brother Uncle Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch). Meanwhile, his reluctant nun daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), courted by tutor Bjorn Lund (Michael Cera), seems fated to inherit his corrupt empire. When U.S. official Mr. Excaliber (Rupert Friend) sabotages the scheme by inflating costs, Zsa-Zsa scrambles to renegotiate with his eccentric investors — all while surviving assassination attempts and hallucinating divine judgment.

“Karate Kid: Legends”

• PG-13 | 94 minutes
• Director: Jonathan Entwistle
• Writers: Rob Lieber, Robert Mark Kamen
• Stars: Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Ralph Macchio

When kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown. n