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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

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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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Gabriel S The Ritual is a good folk horror flick by a Director that is no newbie in the hororr genre, David Bruckner, driving bangers like V/H/S/ (the Amateur Night segment, perhaps the best segment) and The Signal. It mixes Sweden folklore with a scary thriller narrative, delivering a solid experience for fans of slow-driven horror. The story follows main character Luke and his friends hiking on the lovely countryside landscapes of Sweden in an attempt to try out something different for once and also mourne one of their recente deceased friends. All seems OK until, after one of them get slightly injured, they decide to take a shortcut through the woods, meeting horrors long forgotten. This film delivers all you would expect out of a low-budget, B horror flick that works. The cinematography is solid, even though you feel the B vibe. It has a distinct look, yet feels A stream, polished and steady, not that jittery bs we might see during franctic scenes. This is a creature feature, and the creature design is fantastic, something out of Celtic and Occultism. Great design. The horror elements are great. Suttle, yet effective, often reminding me of hints from The Blair Witch Project, a nice touch. The scene with the creepy idol and the nude prayer is creepy as hell. Overall, good experience, The Ritual delivers. It is not as dense as you would expect in certain aspects like lore, but it is a refreshing take into a genre that is a mixed bag. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Molly F Oh my god. Absolutely my new favorite movie . This movie is a masterpiece for real. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Nezuko K Luke was hot, I liked Hutch too! I don't think this movie was bad at all because I liked how the movie was made into a horror like ritual stuff. I love those but Dom was kinda annoying though I would probably act the same if all that was happening Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review p t Fun, interesting story. Super cool creature, good acting. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Mya M Love the realistic Monster and the quick twisted events but in my opinion he should have just bowed to the monster and then ran away I feel like the movie could have gone 1000 times better and just really made me angry. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Stoner J The absolute best folk horror survival thriller! Like zero dull time in it, it’s just go go go. It looks like Bruckner used actual practical effects and not CGI. Super satisfying ending as well Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Ritual

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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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