Exclusive: Maria Camila Giraldo Says Working on 'The Ritual' Was One of 'the Most Intense and Meaningful Projects' She's Been Part Of

Maria Camila Giraldo admits appearing in XYZ Film's The Ritual was the "most intense and meaningful projects" she's been a part of.

"It dives deep into spirituality, faith, and human vulnerability, all through the lens of one of the most thoroughly documented exorcisms in American history. It challenged me emotionally, spiritually and physically. I loved every second of it," the 30-year-old exclusively tells Morning Honey of appearing in the flick alongside Al Pacino, Patricia Heaton, Ashley Greene and Dan Stevens.

The movie, which hits theaters on June 6, follows two priests, one questioning his faith and the other reckoning with a troubled past. They both have to put aside their differences in order to save a possessed young women.

"What first drew me to the story was the way it explores mental health through a historical and spiritual lens. The real case that The Ritual is based on involved a young woman, Emma, who was likely dealing with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but in the 1920s, there wasn’t the understanding we have now. Instead, she was subjected to an exorcism. That duality — is it mental illness or spiritual possession? — struck a chord with me," the actress explains.

"A few years ago, I had a concussion that left me with symptoms I didn’t understand, and for a long time I felt completely lost and misunderstood. There’s still so little information out there about concussions, and I deeply related to the fear and isolation this story explores. Then, when I met the director and writer, they shared that they envisioned Sister Camila, my character, as a symbol of the migration happening at that time. That made me even more passionate about the role. I started researching the Mexican migration into the U.S. during that era, the trauma, the escape, the sacrifices. Camila endures so much to reach the convent, thinking it will be a place of peace — only to discover it’s anything but safe. That complexity, that layered pain and hope, is what made me dive into her fully," she continues.

For the star, working with Pacino "felt surreal."

"On my very first day of rehearsals, we did a table read — and there he was, doing what he does best. I remember just watching him deliver his lines and completely losing track of where I was. It was one of those 'is this real?' moments. Throughout the shoot, it honestly felt like a masterclass. Watching him make bold, unexpected choices with every line was mesmerizing. His presence and fearlessness taught me so much," she recalls, adding that everyone who was part of the cast are "incredibly talented and beautiful human beings."

"With Ashley, I had the chance to connect a little more deeply because our characters share the closest bond in the story, and we had the most scenes together. But beyond that, we just clicked instantly. There was such an ease and natural chemistry between us, which made building that relationship on screen feel really organic and special," she adds.

Giraldo also loved that the movie wasn't "just horror for the sake of fear, it was a reflection on belief, trauma and healing."

"In a world that feels increasingly unsteady and overwhelming, the film reminds us of the power of something greater than ourselves and of the inner strength we often forget we have. That depth is what made the story so compelling to me," she shares.

She notes taking on her role of Sister Camila was "emotional" and not something she "took lightly."

"It stirred a lot inside of me and brought a real spiritual intensity to the work that I had to navigate carefully," she adds. "I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of horror in general, but this film felt different as it was rooted in something real. I’m much more drawn to psychological terror than jump scares. I love stories that get under your skin, stay with you, and make you think long after they’re over."

She says she was "required to go to some very vulnerable emotional places" when shooting this movie.

"There was something almost otherworldly about the atmosphere on set. We were saying real prayers from exorcisms, and at times it felt like we were tapping into something beyond us. We all had to stay grounded and protect ourselves emotionally and spiritually throughout the shoot," she notes.

Over her career, Giraldo has gotten to work with some impressive stars, including Amy Adams in At the Sea.

"It was one of those projects that reminded me why I love storytelling. It’s subtle, powerful, and very human. I play Dr. Ventura, a character who serves as a pivotal mirror to Amy’s character during a very raw part of her journey," she shares. "Amy is everything I hoped she would be: kind, generous deeply present. I’ve admired her for years, and getting to stand my ground in powerful scenes with her was surreal. I learned so much from her emotional precision and grace under pressure."

She continues, "Filming At the Sea was incredibly special for me. What stood out the most was working with Kornél Mundruczó and Amy. Kornél has this quiet, instinctive way of directing that made me feel completely safe to explore. He didn’t need to say much, his direction was subtle but deeply effective, like he trusted the actor’s intuition while still holding the vision tightly. And Amy... she was everything I imagined and more. She brought such presence to the set, calm, open, and deeply committed. There was a softness in the way she worked, but also a strength that grounded every scene. The whole experience reminded me of the kind of storytelling I want to be part of — emotionally rich, character driven and grounded in reality. It made me fall in love with the craft all over again."

Giraldo has worked with some incredible people who have shaped her as an actor, which she's grateful for.

"I’ve sacrificed a lot to get here, and the past few years have brought intense challenges especially with my health. But because of that, this moment feels even more meaningful. I’m in a place where I’m not only healing physically, but also starting to see the fruits of all the hard work I’ve poured into my craft. It feels like the beginning of something really beautiful, and I’m incredibly grateful to be exactly where I am," she shares.

Giraldo also has more to complete.

"Launching my production company, I Feel You Films, is a huge step. I want to tell stories that reflect modern femininity in all its rawness and beauty. I don’t want to wait for the perfect role — I want to create it from the ground up," she declares. "I really believe that’s our job as artists — to express the way we see and feel the world, and hope that through that honesty, someone watching is moved to reflect, question, or see things differently. I’m Colombian, so naturally, the people who tend to connect with me most are other Latinas.Coming to the U.S. as an immigrant has been confusing at times — feeling like I didn’t fully fit into any one box. But that journey of carving out space for myself, of finding where I belong, has been deeply transformative. We Latinas are powerful — we’re strong, visionary, kind, joyful, and wise. And we carry the weight and richness of our social and political histories in our hearts. I hope to represent that complexity with pride, and in doing so, help others feel seen, valued, and inspired."

Additionally, she co-founded a supplement company called Fungiments after going through a "really tough time with a concussion."

"I wasn’t finding relief through traditional options, so I turned to natural remedies, something my mom had always believed in, and it completely changed my life. That healing experience inspired me to share what I found with others. Our superhero product is called Super Prune: a delicious prune turned into a gummy with real superpowers. It’s infused with chamomile, ginger and turkey tail mushroom, which is amazing for gut health. It’s fun, effective and rooted in real wellness — and it came straight from my own journey to feel good again," she says.

"I’m not going to lie — balancing it all can be hard. But I’m enjoying every part of it so much that it makes the challenge feel worth it. Whether it’s the sleepless nights or those moments on set where I’m using breaks to answer emails and work on my laptop, I find it all exciting and energizing. When you’re passionate about what you’re building, even the chaos feels purposeful," she continues.

Through the ups and downs, Giraldo says her life has unfolded in a spectacular way.

"But when you trust the process, stay grounded in your purpose, and surround yourself with people who believe in you — sometimes even more than you believe in yourself — everything begins to align in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. The right people will lift you when you’re down and keep you centered when you’re up. That kind of support has been everything for me," she concludes. "This is just the beginning."

The Ritual was written by Midell and Enrico Natale and produced by Andrew Stevens, Mitchell Welch and Natale.