The Ritual

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The Ritual

2017

1h 34m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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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

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Kristy Puchko

Pajiba

There'll be blood, and fire, and guns, and an axe. But there won't be satisfaction.

Feb 9, 2018

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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

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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

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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

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Ralph R

David Bruckner's The Ritual is an atmospheric horror film that effectively combines psychological tension with a touch of the supernatural. The story follows four friends on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, where they encounter not only the haunting landscape but also their own fears and regrets. What sets The Ritual apart is the authenticity of the characters and their relationships. The dialogue and interactions feel natural, and the bond between the friends comes across as genuine, with years of shared history subtly woven into their exchanges. This grounding in realism makes the escalating terror all the more impactful. The film takes its time building suspense, though some scenes linger longer than necessary, and certain dialogues feel repetitive. These moments, while noticeable, don't detract significantly from the overall experience. The latter part of the movie veers into unexpected territory, delivering an unsettling and imaginative climax that feels fresh in a genre often bound by convention. Visually, the film is stunning, with the eerie forest serving as a character in its own right, amplifying the isolation and dread. The Ritual succeeds in blending human drama with horror, creating a story that's both haunting and deeply relatable. While not without minor flaws, it's a compelling watch for fans of atmospheric and character-driven horror.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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Harshit K

Great horror movie. I watched it with my friends last night

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/19/24

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M W

Very fascinating film. We watched it for a movie night and as someone who has a short attention span it was perfect. Unlike some horror it didn't take long for the story to begin. It kept us on the edge of our seats the entire time. Dont think we're going hiking in sweden anytime soon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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Aiden R

Did we see the same movie? Generic ahhhh movie, watch literally any other movie please waste of an hour and a half of my life. I ate taco bell (my favourite) whilst watching and I was still sad. Even tendies didn't help. Bad film. 1/100.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

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zach s

Literally one of the best horror films of the decade!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/24

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Gorptholemew T

🍅 7.6/10 Roblox with the boys vibes. Watched this with my girlfriend and a group of friends and I had a blast. This is part great but also a little to short for the development needed to make it perfect still I think it has a sick creature design and just a super entertaining movie especially with me girlfriend.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

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David Bruckner

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Luke

Rob James-Collier

Hutch

Arsher Ali

Phil

Sam Troughton

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The Ritual: Trailer 1

2:23

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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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