We all know that Netflix doesn't always carry the best horror content, but every once in a while, a truly great scare slips through the cracks. A good example is The Ritual, an under-the-radar folk horror film that deserves way more attention than it has received. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be adding this movie to your watchlist and wondering why you hadn't seen it sooner.
David Bruckner, who is best known for co-writing and co-directing the horror film The Signal as well as helming the supernatural horror The Night House, directed this movie from a screenplay written by Joe Barton. In addition, Barton is known for creating the sci-fi series The Lazarus Project and the spy thriller series Black Doves. Together, they crafted The Ritual, a chilling tale that expertly combines folk horror with psychological tension. The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival before being released in U.K. theaters in October of that year. After Netflix acquired the film's international distribution rights, it was later released on the streaming platform in 2018.
Based on Adam Nevill's 2012 horror novel of the same name, the story centers around old college friends, Dom, Phil, Luke, and Hutch, who reunite for a hiking trip in Sweden. The trip is meant to honor their late friend Rob, who was tragically murdered during a robbery at a convenience store six months earlier.
Luke, who was present the night of the murder, has been tormented by guilt for failing to intervene and save Rob. Despite his inner turmoil, he decides to join the hiking trip anyway. But what was meant to be a fun and peaceful getaway quickly turns into a nightmare when the group takes a shortcut through a dark, eerie forest and finds themselves stalked by an ancient, malevolent force. The horror only intensifies as the group begins to encounter bizarre and unsettling experiences, including strange rituals, disturbing visions, and supernatural occurrences.
Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton star as the old university friends. Also in the cast are Paul Reid, Maria Erwolter, Hilary Reeves, Francesca Mula, and Matthew Needham.
Look, The Ritual starts off kind of slow, but once the friend group veers off the hiking trail into the forest, it spirals into a haunting, nerve-wracking horror that’s well worth the wait. I'm saying this because I don't want you to write this movie off too soon. While the beginning may feel like it's building slowly, the tension steadily increases, and once the true horror sets in, you won’t be able to look away.
As you watch the friend group trek through the forest, the sense of unease grows with every step. Eerie symbols begin to show up on the trees, unsettling visions blur the boundary between dream and reality, and the group’s friendship starts to unravel as fear and guilt take hold. What follows is a descent into psychological and supernatural terror that grips tighter the deeper they go. By the time the final act hits, you'll be on the edge of your seat, completely absorbed by the escalating nightmare. And once you reach its ending, you’ll be left with a lingering sense of dread, questioning everything that just happened.
If this sounds like something you'd want to watch, you need to head on over to Netflix. The Ritual is available to stream now, and it's the perfect choice for anyone looking for a truly unsettling experience. You know what? I think it's time I give it another watch myself!