There are horror movies, and there are thrillers. It would probably be more than fair to say that The Ritual qualifies as both. The Ritual made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017 where it was then sold to Netflix, where it now is currently available on stream. Though it’s been out for a few years now it has still somewhat slipped by unnoticed, while not completely out of sight. This is unfortunate too, as The Ritual can easily hold its own amongst some of the more interesting horror/thrillers that have made their way to screens in recent years.
The Ritual made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017 where it was then sold to Netflix, where it now is currently available on stream.
Four friends are alone on a long hiking trip in Sweden, on a trek known as the Kunglseden (or ‘King’s Trail). Phil, Dom, Hutch, and Luke have made the decision to undertake the long journey in honor of their late friend Rob, who was killed six months prior, Luke witnessing the event. Luke, who did not intervene fearing for his own safety, is crushed with guilt in the months going forward and the present, as the four friends crack on in the unspoken hopes of keeping their friendship intact. Everything changes when things begin to happen that they cannot explain, all of them gripped by the feeling that someone or something may be stalking them. Starring Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton, The Ritual is a story that starts as one thing and becomes something else entirely by the end of it.
A major positive to the movie is its minimalist approach, courtesy of director David Bruckner. His guidance on the movie dictated much of its thrilling moments rely heavily on the haunting score, and the sound editing along with sharp cuts and quick pans that are much more abrupt when executed synonymously with one another. There are FX, but much of that is saved for the end, and even still, they’re used in such minimal amount. All four actors were appropriately cast, making for believable relationships with authentic stakes. The conflict in that of their lost friend and the grief they all feel is also an effective plot tool, creating distance between the characters and only drawing them back together in the most pivotal moments. This should be a credit to Adam Nevill who wrote the book, and for Joe Barton who adapted the source material for the screen.
A diamond in the rough? Perhaps, though maybe better compared to cubic zirconium. It may not be a life changing experience, but not every movie has to be that. The Ritual still has plenty going for it. It’s thrilling, psychologically taxing, credibly performed, and reasonably directed by Bruckner who has more flicks in the pipeline. It’s perfect for a Friday the 13th sit down, or even for a routine Saturday night on the couch. Opinions will probably vary, as they always do, but consider this an endorsement of The Ritual and Bruckner’s future work as a director.
