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Story: Based on a true story, priests Theophilus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger must set aside their differences to save a possessed young woman, undertaking what would become the longest documented exorcism in US history.Review: A horror film based on a purported real-life case of demonic possession, starring Dan Stevens and Al Pacino, certainly sounds like a promising proposition. ‘The Ritual,’ directed by David Midell, delivers competent performances across the board, and the sincerity of its cast is never in doubt. However, the film remains largely pedantic and struggles to truly terrify. What it ends up offering is more of a dramatic retelling than a gripping horror experience.Interestingly, among the production companies backing this XYZ Films venture is Baweja Studios from India—a surprising but welcome addition to a film rooted so deeply in American religious folklore. The story draws heavily from the writings of Father Joseph Steiger, a real-life Catholic priest whose accounts have inspired horror narratives for decades. The film opens with text referencing Steiger’s experience during what is believed to be the longest-running exorcism in American history. Set in 1920s Earling, Iowa, the tone is sombre and serious right from the start. We meet a young Father Steiger (Dan Stevens), clearly shaken, just before a woman possessed by demons literally flies up the convent wall. It’s a compelling opening, even if what follows doesn’t always live up to it.The central story revolves around Father Steiger, grieving the suicide of his brother and already disillusioned with the Church’s stance on mental illness. He’s called upon to assist in the exorcism of Emma Schmidt (Abigail Cowen), a young woman experiencing violent, inexplicable symptoms. Her devout Catholic family turns to the Church after doctors fail to help. Enter Father Theophilus Riesinger (Al Pacino), an experienced exorcist with unwavering faith. As the exorcism unfolds over 23 harrowing days, Steiger’s scepticism begins to crack. Emma’s disturbing abilities—naming sins, speaking in terrifying tones, and displaying violent strength—begin to test the beliefs of all involved. As the tension mounts, so does the sense of dread in the convent, culminating in a 72-hour exorcism marathon that leaves Riesinger broken but victorious and Steiger spiritually reborn.Pacino is in excellent form, playing Riesinger with a calm, deliberate presence that anchors the film. He resists the temptation to lean into theatricality, allowing his gravitas to do the work. Stevens, earnest as ever, brings emotional depth but seems a tad miscast in a film this relentlessly grim. Abigail Cowen and Patricia Heaton (as the convent’s Mother Superior) also turn in strong performances, grounding the film in emotional reality. Still, despite the solid acting, the film never quite delivers the psychological unease or genuine scares expected from a genre piece. The atmosphere is right, the mood is grim—but the payoff just doesn’t hit hard enough.What ‘The Ritual’ ultimately lacks is escalation. It never builds to the kind of fever pitch you expect from the genre—it’s like being promised a storm and getting a gloomy drizzle instead. That said, it isn’t a cheap or derivative entry in the horror canon. It takes its subject seriously, avoids melodrama, and sticks to a restrained aesthetic. Fans of religious horror and those curious to see Pacino in a priest’s robes will find some rewards here, even if the film never quite delivers the dread it promises.

Netflix on Tuesday spilled more details about its retail stores coming to the Philadelphia and Dallas areas later this year and unveiled plans to open a third location in Las Vegas in 2027.

The more than 100,000-square-foot locations, called Netflix House, will sell merchandise and food based on popular Netflix programs and will have immersive activities pulled from series including “Wednesday” and “Squid Game.”

At Netflix House Philadelphia, located inside the King of Prussia Mall, visitors explore the Eve of Outcasts Festival that falls under Wednesday’s spell where they will discover “games, mis-fortunes and horrifying surprises,” Netflix said.

The location will also have virtual reality games where fans can play the main character inside the worlds of Netflix programs, watch fan events on a big screen inside a theater and play mini golf inspired by programming.

There will also be an interactive experience based on pirate series “One Piece,” where visitors can dodge villains to reach the Devil Fruit.

Netflix House at Galleria Dallas will have a game room and immersive experiences based on “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game,” where players will engage in “diabolical games.”

The Netflix House location opening in Las Vegas will be at BLVD on the strip.

Netflix House is part of a larger effort by the streamer to keep its fans engaged with in-person retail and events. The company has launched more than 40 experiences, reaching 10 million fans in 300 cities, , such as candlelight concerts and balls inspired by “Bridgerton.”

The company has partnered with brands and retailers on clothing, toys, lotions and snacks based on their shows.

Earlier this year, Netflix opened a restaurant inside MGM Grand in Las Vegas called Netflix Bites that features Netflix-themed foods like “WWE Smashburger” or a three-tiered tea service inspired by “Bridgerton,” according to the restaurant’s website.

Netflix Bites, which serves food and cocktails, will also be located in each of the upcoming Netflix House locations too.

Actors Urvashi Rautela and Sonu Sood were recently summoned and questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a widening investigation into the promotion of illegal online betting platforms. The probe focuses on celebrity endorsements of apps that allegedly operated in violation of Indian gambling laws.

Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood questioned by ED in online betting app investigation; Yuvraj Singh, Rana Daggubati also under scanner: Reports

According to NDTV Profit, the ED is scrutinising the duo’s affiliations with certain online gambling websites. Reports suggest that Urvashi and Sonu were questioned regarding their endorsement contracts and promotional roles tied to betting apps, including surrogate platforms such as “1xbat,” which allegedly redirected users through QR codes and web links to 1xBet—a gambling site banned in India.

An official from the ED, quoted by News18, stated, “These platforms have gained massive visibility by partnering with celebrities and influencers — even in defiance of explicit government bans.” So far, neither Urvashi Rautela nor Sonu Sood’s teams have released official statements on the matter.

The investigation also includes other public figures from the entertainment and sports industries. Cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina were also called in for questioning. The ED believes endorsements from such high-profile names played a pivotal role in lending credibility and visibility to the banned platforms, thereby facilitating large-scale user engagement and, in turn, financial fraud.

In March this year, an FIR was lodged in Hyderabad against 25 celebrities for promoting illegal betting platforms. The list includes actors and public figures such as Nidhi Agarwal, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, and Praneetha.

Also Read: Rana Daggubati and his team issue ‘clarification statement’ after Telangana Police files FIR against celebs for promoting illegal betting apps

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EXCLUSIVE: Former Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Kim Woodburn insisted her reality television days were not over just months before her death

Kim Woodburn provided some of the most dramatic moments in British reality television, before her tragic death aged 83. Back in 2017, she seemingly didn’t go a day without arguing with one of her Celebrity Big Brother co-stars, in one of show’s most memorable series.

Kim particularly clashed with Nicola McLean, and had further rows with the likes of Jamie O’Hara and Coleen Nolan. At one point during a heated argument in the famous house’s bedroom, security were forced to intervene and drag her away from the drama.

After the series concluded, Kim accused her housemates of bullying, which they have all denied. Despite this, the reality star said she wouldn’t rule out a return if the show did an all-star series.

This however came with one condition – that her former housemates wouldn’t be living with her. In our interview with the star last year, we asked if she’d be up for the experience in the house again. She replied: “I wouldn’t go back with the cast I had in there”, before going on to brand them “rotten pigs”.

She added: “If any of them were in there that I knew, that were ganging up on me, I’m not going to give myself punishment. I like the money, but I’m not going to work with trash like that ever again.

“But I’d go back in if most of them are who I haven’t been in with. I wouldn’t want to sit in the same house as them, why would I?”

Kim admitted she had signed up to the likes of Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! for the money, and slammed those who claim they did it “for the experience”.

Reflecting on her stint in the house, she added: “I didn’t go in to win, I went in for the money. Thank you television, you paid me lots of money. I wouldn’t have gone on it if I didn’t get paid a large amount.

“I wouldn’t have gone in the jungle [either]. Who’s going to eat a flipping lamb’s testicle in the jungle if you’re not paid heaps of money?”.

Following her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Kim’s feud with the series winner Coleen continued during an episode of Loose Women. Producers claimed that they invited her onto the panel to bury the hatchet with Coleen, but this instantly backfired.

Just minutes into the interview, a row between them erupted which prompted Coleen’s co-stars and sister Linda to get involved.

As part of their exchange, the panellist said her biggest mistake was not telling Kim “how vile she was from day one”. Hitting back, the former How Clean Is Your House? star said she “was very upset” on the show and pretended she wasn’t.

She went on to accuse her co-stars of picking on her, adding: “This one [pointing to Coleen], ‘Cup of tea Kim, cup of tea?’ everyday and behind my back they were slagging me off.

“I don’t want to draw a line under it…I will never forget what the likes of this one and seven others put me through…I will never forget it because it was sad, awful and it was b****y cruel!”.

On reflection, Coleen later said she wished their reunion never happened, and claimed it almost caused her to step away from showbiz.

According to the Daily Mail, she added: “And then I thought…’I’m not going to let Kim Woodburn finish my career…she’s a cleaning lady!”.

News of Kim’s death was announced on Tuesday by her manager. A statement issued to press reads: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness. Kim was an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person.

“Her husband, Peter, is heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate. We are so proud of the amazing things Kim achieved in her life and career. We kindly ask that Kim’s husband and close friends are given the time and privacy they need to grieve. We will not be releasing any further details.”