The Ritual

Name: The Ritual
Genre: Horror
Released: February 9, 2018
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Arsher Ali, Francesca Mula, Hilary Reeves, Jacob James Beswick, Kerri McLean

2018

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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The Ritual

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): February 9, 2018 | TV-MA

Starring: Arsher Ali, Francesca Mula, Hilary Reeves, Jacob James Beswick, Kerri McLean, Maria Erwolter, Matthew Needham, Paul Reid, Peter Liddell, Rafe Spall, Rob James-Collier, Sam Troughton

Summary: Reuniting after the tragic death of their best mate, four old friends from university set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. But a wrong turn leads them into the dark and mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil still exists and stalks them at every turn.

Director: David Bruckner

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Matt Glasby

Entertaining, engrossing and at times genuinely unnerving, Bruckner’s bad trip is one for horror fans to relish. Read full review

Randall Colburn

Feb 8, 2018

The Ritual is rich, meaty horror that, despite your feelings regarding its twists and turns, offers up a gripping balance of psychological terror and physical revulsion. Read full review

Katie Walsh

Feb 8, 2018

The Ritual is efficient and highly effective in its style, relying on sound, creepy production design, and the men's own fear and misjudgment to create the sense of pervasive doom. We don't see the monster in too much detail, leaving the mystery intact, but the creature design is stunningly original. Read full review

Trevor Johnston

Jan 26, 2018

If it lacks the originality and sheer muscle of the best horror fare, this does offer an astute take on fragile thirtysomething machismo, and Spall treads a convincingly anguished path towards potential redemption. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Jan 26, 2018

Spall is good casting in the lead: miserable, hangdog, humorous and scared, like a handsomer version of Josh Widdicombe. James-Collier is a fierce screen presence: some film-maker needs to find something more for him to do. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

Feb 9, 2018

The atmospheric but threadbare male bonding horror flick The Ritual is so well-directed that you can't help but groan at its lightweight script's many little inadequacies. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jul 10, 2018

A British eOne/Netflix production, packs a bunch of boy-bonding lads off into the wilds of Sweden. No “found footage,” but it’s “The Borgholm Witch Project” in the Swedish “Cabin in the Woods,” “Wicker Man,” the works. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheSparton

Feb 10, 2018

Just had to write a review for this film as I really couldn’t fault it. One of the best horror-thrillers I’ve seen in a LONG time. Some might say the beginning or premise is clichéd but the story has quite a few genre twists that will keep you guessing. Great acting, suspense, adventure,Just had to write a review for this film as I really couldn’t fault it. One of the best horror-thrillers I’ve seen in a LONG time. Some might say the beginning or premise is clichéd but the story has quite a few genre twists that will keep you guessing. Great acting, suspense, adventure, intrigue and chills. At times it very much reminded me of a Guillermo del Toro film! Netflix scored well acquiring this one. Watch it.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

JLau

Sep 25, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Group of friends go hiking in Sweden in memory of a dead friend, get lost in the forest and then start getting picked off by some sort of Norse animal god thing that's being worshipped by a cult.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TryASummersault

Feb 18, 2018

This was probably the most surprising creatively original horror I've seen in years. I thought the trailer looked promising enough but never expected this story to absolutely enthrall me like it did. From the beginning your attention is captured with a very brutally somber intro that plays aThis was probably the most surprising creatively original horror I've seen in years. I thought the trailer looked promising enough but never expected this story to absolutely enthrall me like it did. From the beginning your attention is captured with a very brutally somber intro that plays a deep role into the overall tale. You're then immersed into a magnificently scenic, yet eerie mountain forest setting where the atmosphere is incredibly effective. I cannot say enough about the beautiful imagery and camerawork throughout. As everything unravels it becomes an outstandingly creepy and suspenseful turn of events unlike anything you've seen before. They executed the big reveals towards the final frightening half hour brilliantly and thats where this horror film rises above so many with its extremely unnervingly bizarre conclusion that you will never see coming. The creature design was insanely crafted and refreshing, and will stay in your mind forever as one of the best concepts put on screen. Rafe Spell's performance was utterly intense, and you really feel for his character after certain events. Overall I'd rate this an 8.7/10 and would HIGHLY recommend it to any watcher. I really wish this received a theatrical release around the world but you can now add it to the many great netflix original films that keep surprising everyone.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

tellmikeyy

Jan 23, 2022

From an unfortunate event to a peaceful hike to a downright brutal hunt. This movie had a slow build but it was completely worth it as it went on to its end. The gore is pretty brutal and this movie actually makes you feel for what is happening between these 4 friends. The cinematography isFrom an unfortunate event to a peaceful hike to a downright brutal hunt. This movie had a slow build but it was completely worth it as it went on to its end. The gore is pretty brutal and this movie actually makes you feel for what is happening between these 4 friends. The cinematography is beautiful and it kept me hooked the whole way through. Lessons I learned from this movie;
1. Don’t hike deep in the mountains, especially if there is a forest involved 2. Punch a creepy old forest lady in the face
3. Yell… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 26, 2021

This is a somewhat creepy film, with a (very slight) feel of the Blair Witch Project about it, although it doesn't feature the home made recording feel to it but its certainly about a bunch of people getting somewhat lost in a forest, with symbols found and so on. There's a lot of swearing,This is a somewhat creepy film, with a (very slight) feel of the Blair Witch Project about it, although it doesn't feature the home made recording feel to it but its certainly about a bunch of people getting somewhat lost in a forest, with symbols found and so on. There's a lot of swearing, which is hardly surprising but I suppose it did feel a bit...obvious is perhaps the best term? a bunch of guys turning on each other. It's hardly greatly original. However, it is a bit sinister in tone at times and its certainly watchable. One last point - If you don't like screaming/shouting/squealing, then this may not be the ideal watch for you. Most of it was a bit so-so but there were a few suitably chilling moments which made the whole film somewhat good and worth a watch in my opinion, hence my rating and yes, I'd just about recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

goncalocouto

Jan 6, 2019

”The Ritual” aproveita-se de elementos já aplicados noutros filmes. Apesar disso, o filme possui uma atmosfera bem explorada durante a primeira hora. Os atores são bons e a fotografia é deslumbrante.
6/10

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drone41

Feb 19, 2018

I was hoping it will give us some reasonable explanation in the end, but that not happened.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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