The Ritual Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hiking trip takes a dark turn when the friends encounter a moose-giraffe hybrid deity demanding devotion, but one dude just nopes out.

🍿 The Ritual: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Tragedy and a Fateful Hike

The film opens with a group of old friends, Luke, Phil, Hutch, Rob, and Dom, discussing a vacation. Tragedy strikes when Rob is murdered during a robbery, leaving Luke wracked with guilt as he hid during the event. Six months later, the remaining four friends embark on a hiking trip in Sweden to honor Rob’s memory.

Lost in the Woods

When Dom injures his knee, Hutch suggests taking a shortcut through a dense forest. The group soon encounters unsettling signs: a gutted elk hanging from the trees and strange symbols carved into the bark. As night falls, they take shelter in an abandoned cabin, where they find more disturbing symbols and a bizarre effigy.

Nightmares and Disappearance

During the night, the hikers are plagued by vivid nightmares. Luke discovers strange puncture wounds on his chest, and they find Phil in a trance-like state, seemingly worshipping the effigy. The group’s unease grows, and tensions rise as they venture deeper into the woods, realizing they are being stalked by something sinister. Hutch disappears, and his body is later found impaled on tree branches.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Luke (Rafe Spall): Haunted by guilt over a friend’s death, Luke struggles with cowardice and ultimately confronts a terrifying entity in the Swedish wilderness.
• Phil (Arsher Ali): One of the friends on the hiking trip, he meets a gruesome end at the hands of the forest creature.
• Hutch (Robert James-Collier): The level-headed member of the group, who makes the fateful decision to take a shortcut through the forest, leading to deadly consequences.
• Dom (Sam Troughton): Injured during the hike, Dom voices resentment towards Luke and becomes a sacrifice to the ancient creature.
• The Jötunn (Jacob James Beswick): An ancient, god-like creature worshipped by a secluded cult, demanding sacrifices for immortality.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dom: “My old scoutmaster used to say ‘If the shortcut was a shortcut, it wouldn’t be called a shortcut, it would be called a route’.” – Dom says this line before taking the fateful shortcut through the woods, foreshadowing the dangers to come.
• The Host: “Kneel.” – The Host commands Luke to kneel before the Jotunn in order to receive immortality, highlighting the cult’s twisted faith.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $1,785,977

💥 The Ritual Reviews

Personal Review

I was genuinely creeped out by this movie. The atmosphere was incredible, and it really made me feel like I was lost in those woods with the characters. The creature reveal was a little weird at first, but it grew on me. What really got to me was Luke’s guilt, and how the forest amplified it. Definitely a re-watch for me, although I might skip the last 20 minutes!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of folk horror”
  • “Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers”
  • “Those interested in Scandinavian mythology”
  • “Horror fans looking for something different than jump scares”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Nightmares”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IndieHorrorNow: “The Ritual blends psychological horror with folk horror effectively, creating a palpable sense of dread. While the monster reveal is divisive, the film’s atmosphere and character dynamics make it a worthwhile watch. The guilt element adds depth to the horror.
• ScreamDaily: “Bruckner’s direction keeps the tension high in ‘The Ritual,’ but the payoff falters. The creature design is unique, but the plot becomes predictable. Rafe Spall delivers a compelling performance, however the ending doesn’t live up to the promise of the setup.

Audience Reactions

Viewers felt that the film blends the best elements of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ with a unique mythology.: The film’s suspenseful atmosphere and the actors’ performances were widely praised.

Some viewers loved the blend of realistic characters in a surreal, horrifying environment.: The initial setup and build-up of suspense were particularly strong and effective.

Overall Consensus: The Ritual delivers a creepy, atmospheric horror experience, though the ending is divisive. The performances and tension are generally praised, despite the film’s predictable elements.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was filmed in Romania, not Sweden, to evoke the specific atmosphere of the forest and pagan landscapes, even though it’s set in Sweden.”
• “The creature design was intentionally ambiguous, drawing inspiration from various mythologies and nightmares, to create a unique and unsettling presence.”
• “The guilt that Luke experiences following the death of his friend is a major theme of the film, with many of the horror elements playing on his psyche and personal torment.”
• “The director, David Bruckner, wanted the film to explore themes of male friendship, grief, and the confrontation of personal demons.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Ritual?

The Ritual is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Purchase or rental options may be available through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for pricing and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Ritual, you might like these similar films:

• The Blair Witch Project (1999): Features found-footage style and a group of friends getting lost and terrorized in the woods by an unseen, malevolent force.
• Apostle (2018): Combines folk horror with a search for a missing person who stumbles upon a sinister cult with ancient beliefs and a monstrous god.
• Trollhunter (2010): A found-footage film that blends dark fantasy and mockumentary styles as it follows a group of students documenting a Norwegian troll hunter.
• The Wicker Man (1973): Deals with pagan rituals, isolated communities, and terrifying sacrifices in a remote setting.

🛒 The Ritual Related Products

• The Ritual by Adam Nevill: Experience the full story in the original novel that inspired the movie. Delve deeper into the lore and characters.
• Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: This book is a great resource for understanding the Norse mythology which is referenced in the movie, learn more about Loki and other Norse gods!
• Kungsleden Hiking Map: Detailed map of the Kungsleden trail, allowing fans to plan their own (hopefully less terrifying) hiking trip in Sweden.
• Jötunn Inspired T-Shirt: Unique T-shirt featuring a stylized depiction of the Jötunn creature from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Ritual features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “End Titles” – performed by Ben Lovett
• “The Lodge” – performed by Ben Lovett

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Moder (Child of Loki) The Ritual Creature Explained

Dive deeper into the darkness of ‘The Ritual’ with this fascinating explanation of the terrifying creature that haunts the characters. The insights provided will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the movie’s horror.

The Ritual (2017) Ending Explained | Haunting Tube

Uncover the secrets behind the enigmatic conclusion of ‘The Ritual’ in this thought-provoking analysis. Whether you loved or hated the ending, this video will provide valuable insights that deepen your understanding of the film.

37,804 Ways to Beat The Ritual (2017)

Prepare yourself for a good laugh with this hilarious guide to outsmarting the horrors of ‘The Ritual.’ Combining humor with insightful analysis, this video will have you rethinking your survival strategy.

THE RITUAL: A Guilt-Ridden Folk Nightmare

Join film enthusiast Ryan Hollinger as he takes you on a captivating journey through ‘The Ritual.’ His insightful analysis will unlock new perspectives on the film’s hauntingly beautiful imagery and profound themes.

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