The Ritual (2017)
A group of college friends reunite for a trip to the forest, but encounter a menacing presence in the woods that's stalking them.
Details
Budget
$1,000,000
Rating
6/10 (3066 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Entertainment One, The Imaginarium, Sierra/Affinity
About The Ritual
Set in the Scandinavian wilderness, the 2017 horror-thriller "The Ritual" follows a group of college friends on a hiking trip that takes a dark turn. The film explores themes of grief, guilt, and survival horror as the friends encounter a malevolent presence in the woods. Drawing on elements of folk horror and Norse mythology, the narrative builds tension through psychological unease and the isolation of its setting.
The film has been noted for its atmospheric qualities and its blending of psychological horror with creature feature elements. The initial premise involves a group dynamic strained by shared trauma, which becomes further complicated by their escalating terror. Its horror elements include both the unseen menace stalking them and the more explicit monstrous encounters in the latter half of the story.
With a runtime of 94 minutes, "The Ritual" maintains a focused pace. Its critical reception, as indicated by a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 57/100 on Metacritic, suggests a generally positive but somewhat mixed response. The film's use of its remote forest setting and its exploration of ancient, pagan-influenced horror distinguish it within the genre.
Why you might be searching for The Ritual
People search for "The Ritual" due to its blend of psychological and monster horror, often remembering its effective use of a remote forest setting and its specific creature design, which is not fully revealed until later in the film. The unique blend of survival, folk horror, and themes of guilt also makes it a memorable title.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer expressed surprise at how good the film was, given its generic title and lack of extensive promotional material.
Read the full reviewA reviewer described the film as a combination of elements from movies like "The Blair Witch Project" and "The Wicker Man," praising its cinematography and superior creature design.
Read the full reviewOne review highlighted the film's atmospheric qualities and its effective combination of psychological tension with supernatural elements, appreciating the authenticity of the characters and their relationships.
Read the full reviewA reviewer noted that the film, based on Adam Nevill's novel, effectively builds tension through an eerie atmosphere and a gradual conflict, despite some shortcomings in action scenes and dialogue.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
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You can stream *The Ritual* on Netflix. It is also available to buy or rent on services like Google Play.
*The Ritual* is not based on a true story. It is a film adaptation of the 2011 novel of the same name by Adam Nevill.
In the ending of *The Ritual*, Luke escapes the cult's village and is pursued by Moder, the ancient, moose-like jötunn creature worshipped by the cult. Moder attempts to incapacitate Luke with hallucinations, but he resists, wounds the creature with an axe, and flees. Luke eventually breaks free of the forest and Moder's influence, emerging into an open field and finding a road, while Moder retreats back into the woods.
*The Ritual* has received mixed to positive reviews. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it an approval rating of 74%, praising its evocative use of the Scandinavian setting and effective atmosphere, though some found the story familiar or felt it became boring towards the end.