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The Ritual

Play trailer Poster for The Ritual 2017 1h 34m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Reuniting after the tragic death of their friend, four college pals set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. A wrong turn leads them into the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil exists and stalks them at every turn.
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The Ritual

The Ritual

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Critics Consensus

Director David Bruckner makes evocative use of the Scandinavian setting and a dedicated cast to deliver a handsome -- if familiar -- horror story.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer This steely British import examines the cost of male-bonding rituals...it's nice to see a horror movie really go for it in the home stretch. Jul 31, 2018 Full Review Simon Abrams RogerEbert.com The most disappointing kind of bad horror movie: the kind that's too smart to be this dumb. Rated: 2/4 Feb 9, 2018 Full Review Kristy Puchko Pajiba There'll be blood, and fire, and guns, and an axe. But there won't be satisfaction. Feb 9, 2018 Full Review Brian Bisesi Horror Movie Club Podcast Realistic characters, excellent character design, and some horrific surprises combine to make The Ritual stand out as one of the better horror films of the 2010s. Rated: 4/5 Nov 22, 2023 Full Review Howard Gorman NME (New Musical Express) Giving the tried and tested Blair Witch formula a Hangover face lift - sans the comedy - The Ritual is a highly effective shocker. Jun 10, 2021 Full Review Nick Levine NME (New Musical Express) A workmanlike but watchable horror flick which provokes a few gasps without ever really raising your heart rate. Rated: 3/5 Apr 29, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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BigD J This brilliant Swedish film is everything modern horror should be. Other than comedy, it pretty much has it all. Extremely atmospheric and an homage to an ancient supernatural demon and witchcraft. All this with what I believe is somewhat of an Evil Dead, “the woods are in control” twist. Excellent all around experience. Need more films like this. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/15/25 Full Review hedy a Very intresting movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Garrett B It was not boring but probably wont watch again. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/07/25 Full Review Logan D Six months after a shared tragedy, four friends go hiking in the mountains of Sweden and deal with horrors within and without. I love moral quandaries and the opening segment resulted in me proposing the situation to various friends. It's difficult to say how we would act in the face of a threat and we shouldn't judge the character's reactions too harshly. But those reactions do result in consequences they must engage. I loved the scenery though I wish it had been actually filmed in Sweden instead of Romania just to know what those forests actually look like. I found the film engaging due to strong characterization albeit in need of better editing and having some horror tropes. The design of the monster is excellent. Just so you know, the runes are accurate. An intelligent horror film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Kalissa H I was bored and ready for it to be over. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Paul E The movie seems to setup an interesting premise with lots of opportunity then had a solid build up. Ultimately I was left very disappointed as the movie wallows in low level horror at the end and doesn't deliver on any of the promise setup at the start. If you're gonna end it that way just drop the mostly undeveloped characters into the woods without context because it's just a pointless tease. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/26/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Reuniting after the tragic death of their friend, four college pals set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. A wrong turn leads them into the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil exists and stalks them at every turn.
Director
David Bruckner
Producer
Jonathan Cavendish, Richard Holmes, Andy Serkis
Screenwriter
Joe Barton
Production Co
Entertainment One
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 9, 2018
Runtime
1h 34m
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