The Ritual
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): February 9, 2018
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 124 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
77
Mixed:
39
Negative:
8
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
annbdJul 8, 2018
As a fan of non-horror films, I would try my best to review this one. First, impressing choice of music and sounds and combining them with silence. This created great scary scenes, that determine a horror movie. Second, the dialogues wereAs a fan of non-horror films, I would try my best to review this one. First, impressing choice of music and sounds and combining them with silence. This created great scary scenes, that determine a horror movie. Second, the dialogues were realistic and that contributed to the emotional and cognitive intensified effect of immersion in film. Plus perfect acting and interesting story with hidden meaning. So I guess The Ritual could be a little bit boring for real horror fans, who have watched a lot. But I'm very impressed by this film and I recommend it!… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
FalaaxApr 24, 2018
An overall good film. There's more character development than in your typical horror movie. The viewer can easily feel the tension in the atmosphere and between the characters. Some plot elements could have been developped a bit more but itAn overall good film. There's more character development than in your typical horror movie. The viewer can easily feel the tension in the atmosphere and between the characters. Some plot elements could have been developped a bit more but it was a good entertaiment, I recommend it.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
muldjordJan 6, 2019
Just watched this after Kojima tweeted about it. I had previously decided against watching it after reading reviews. After having watched it, I am quite annoyed with how low scores this movie gets from the pro reviewers. The tension thisJust watched this after Kojima tweeted about it. I had previously decided against watching it after reading reviews. After having watched it, I am quite annoyed with how low scores this movie gets from the pro reviewers. The tension this movie establishes is beyond what I've seen in a long time.

It is absolutely fantastically put together. It reveals just enough throughout to keep you curious about the whole thing. The acting is top-notch, especially in the scenes where the group is falling apart from sheer psychological pressure.

And the effects, oh boy, is it well done! And there's a twist to the story that I'm not sure people will get unless they think the whole situation through. And it's a nasty realization when you do.

This movie surpassed my expectations on pretty much all levels.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
CameraBounceGodMar 20, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this is essentially the best horror movie I've ever seen and i cant believe the critics are being such cucks. its a giant moose god that stays in the woods and makes you see things from your past whenever its around and if your not the main character you get skewered by a tree branch. its absolutely perfect and worth a watch every Halloween. I missed the scene where they first arrive at the first cabin but I doubt that would change how good this film is. My only wishes are that it wasn't longer and that the leads yelling didn't sound so much like Howard Deans.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
spencieMar 26, 2018
A fantastic horror film with a lot of terrifying sequences and great acting. This movie is a better version of The Blair Witch Project. The creature design is mind-boggling, it's so impressive. The monster is truly unnerving and I'm so happyA fantastic horror film with a lot of terrifying sequences and great acting. This movie is a better version of The Blair Witch Project. The creature design is mind-boggling, it's so impressive. The monster is truly unnerving and I'm so happy I didn't get to see it till the end of the film.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
bartcbemAug 9, 2019
Very underrated mystery/horror movie with truly dark and dense atmosphere that grabs your attention and dont let go up to the very end. Plus very unique monster idea and design.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
GBG_JasonFeb 28, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Since its inception, I’ve typically dreaded scrolling through the horror options found on Netflix. The service has always been littered with straight to video garbage and lackluster sequels, although recently the service’s original programming has become my go to for a horror fix. Releasing 1922, The Babysitter, and now The Ritual directly to their service has made access to Netflix more important to me than ever before.

The Ritual starts out with our protagonists planning a group vacation while at a local bar. After throwing around some ideas and nothing being set in stone, the group heads to the local liquor store where one of the group members is violently mugged, resulting in his death. Fast forward 6 months and our group of characters are hiking through Sweden, which was the late friend’s suggestion. While the characters are not horribly written nor are the performances poor, they are simply interchangeable, with only occasional bits of personality shining through.

Early into their trip one of the friends suffers a minor injury; both his friends and the viewer will likely question whether or not he’s faking it. When one of the men notices a shortcut through a dense patch of forest area, they debate on whether they want to stick to the path or continue through parts unknown. Very soon after the group enters the heavy foliage, things start to get weird.

I’m not sure about most people, but I can wholeheartedly say that seeing an eviscerated deer hanging from about 10 feet in the air, still dripping blood would probably have me running back out of the woods as fast as my feet could carry me, almost as if my head was on fire. Does this affect our group? Not in the slightest. While there are a few comments about how it could have been a bear or hunters, it really doesn’t feel plausible and makes our heroes look a bit dumb, but they proceed anyway.

After a brutal storm begins they seek shelter in an abandoned cabin, which houses a strange human-esque shaped shrine in the upper floor. This is when things really pick up; characters will wake up inexplicably outside of the cabin, found naked worshiping the shrine in their sleep, hallucinating or suffering strange unexplained wounds. From here on out, it’s clear that something is out in the woods and it does not like them one bit. At this point in the film, the tension finally picks up and the horror they are facing really sets in.

I am a huge fan of movies that are so confident in their visual effects that they show the creature or monsters up close in full light without the need to use smart camera angles, but can also respect when the director chooses to hide a more impressive creature to build tension; The Ritual has the best of both worlds. Early into the film you will occasionally get a glimpse of the creature, but it’s not until the last fifteen to twenty minutes of the film you really get to see it in all of its glory. One scene, which features a blazing fire behind it, really highlights the creature and will likely haunt you for days, which says something considering you only see its silhouette at this point.

Up until I actually saw the being, I felt that the movie was going to head down a B movie route, lacking the budget for the grotesque thing that we actually ended up with. The monster would be best described as a moving Rorschach test, since anyone you ask will likely have a different description of it. For me, it appeared to be a mummified horse, with a spider-like head made of corpses. Regardless of how you look at it, the thing is one of the best designed movie monsters in years.

While the acting isn’t outright bad, I did have to watch the movie with closed captioning due to the actors’ British accents being extremely thick. Coupled with their unique slang, some of the more verbal scenes are a bit hard to follow. It may have been the difficulty I experienced following the conversations, but I found these areas to be a bit dull compared other scenes. When the film picks up, it rarely slows down. The fact that you do not see the creature in more than brief glimpses throughout the midpoint of the film, as well as the occasional flash or flicker of something moving in the foliage around the lost hikers, you’re bound to be on the edge of your seat.

While The Ritual is nothing we haven’t seen before, it does offer a solid horror experience at no additional cost than the standard Netflix fee. It’s far from perfect, but the creature alone makes this one worth giving a view.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
GrachechkovskiAug 17, 2018
The great movie for Netflix's horror side. This is a psychologists horror that has a good suspense and a fascinating plot with psychedelic and religious parts
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
Theguitarhero89Aug 9, 2018
I think this was a very innovative movie as far as antagonist design and plot go, as I was sucked in right until the very end. The acting was great, the backstory behind the antagonist made sense, and the overarching struggle between the mainI think this was a very innovative movie as far as antagonist design and plot go, as I was sucked in right until the very end. The acting was great, the backstory behind the antagonist made sense, and the overarching struggle between the main character and his past and present dilemmas were all connected well without exposing too much and giving away crucial details. This definitely helped to keep the audience guessing. Overall, I recommend this movie wholeheartedly. Ps- My girlfriend was so spooked I couldn't even get her to finish the movie, if that's any indication that it is in fact scary haha.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
bradylynnnnOct 12, 2018
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In my opinion this movie is really good. He felt like his best friends death was his fault. He hallucinates the moment he died and thinks about how he could have helped. As the movie goes on the scenes get weirder "scarier". I actually feel bad for Luke because at the end of the movie, all his friends are dead. I also liked the way they put the Jötunn in the movie and the way that made it look. When Dom was about to die and he was seeing a woman in front of him but they zoom out and its the Jötunn I thought that was cool. There was some gore and blood and I think it fit this movie well. So ill give this a 10/10 :))… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
DeyomasMar 4, 2019
There's something more convincing in the British vocalisation compared to the usual American accent. It feel much more real, coupled with the fact that these are older blokes as opposed to the teen fodder that usually gets offed in AmericanThere's something more convincing in the British vocalisation compared to the usual American accent. It feel much more real, coupled with the fact that these are older blokes as opposed to the teen fodder that usually gets offed in American productions. Setting a haunted forest premise in picturesque Sweden is such a good idea it seems absurd that this is not done more often. After all, those fairy tales that have terrified children for generations have their roots in European forests, so it is fitting that this works so well.

It is tense, terrifying, and truly beautiful, offering the barest of hints to begin with and developing further as the tale progresses. A must see.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
ArcanaThe4thMay 28, 2019
This is a horror with a bit more of character than what I expected. It has a lot of great ideas, a great monster and much more realistic characters than your usual dumb teenager. Forests can always creep me out and this one uses the forest'sThis is a horror with a bit more of character than what I expected. It has a lot of great ideas, a great monster and much more realistic characters than your usual dumb teenager. Forests can always creep me out and this one uses the forest's creepy potential to its fullest potential. The moments I was truly amazed were few and mostly towards the end, but it was still a good experience all the way through. This is a movie made by people who know what they're doing.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
SpiralusFeb 14, 2018
This was masterfully done. As with all horror films, If you don't like horror films you should give it a miss and certainly refrain from reviewing it. Everything here was meticulously crafted. The attention to detail, sound scape, visualThis was masterfully done. As with all horror films, If you don't like horror films you should give it a miss and certainly refrain from reviewing it. Everything here was meticulously crafted. The attention to detail, sound scape, visual effects, performances, story, pacing and even the script were all first rate. Very few budget horror films are able to pull this off. It's probably the best in what Ill consider it's genre (scary forest movies). People will compare it to other movies in it's niche because it's easy for them to do so. Fine. Neat. Its like blair witch in the same sense that star trek is like star wars. For me it was a better depiction of Lovecraft-style helplessness than I've ever seen. It also featured probably the best creature design and execution I've seen since Alien. Finally it managed to change out its rythm and rules set like modern masterpiece horror films such as "martyrs" were able to do. Like martyrs, this film will be wildly underrated. It will also likely be lost for many in the ocean of content coming out. I hope the creators receive the praise they deserve. I'm very glad I saw it. If you like lovecraft, horror, mud or monsters I highly recommend this. The critics are wrong again.… Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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8
the_coogFeb 12, 2018
One of the most surprising horror movies to come out in a long time. The basic premise (some may call it simplistic and cliché) actually serves it very well, because it quickly veers into a territory that has never really been explored inOne of the most surprising horror movies to come out in a long time. The basic premise (some may call it simplistic and cliché) actually serves it very well, because it quickly veers into a territory that has never really been explored in horror films before. It's been explored, but never without this level of success. The Ritual has a firm grip on atmospherics and a very competent cast elevate this film with a lot of internal conflict and palpable dread. It's beautifully shot and briskly paced, with plenty to go in terms of phychological anguish and physical revulsion. Some nasty twists elevate this into a tale of pure Lovecraftian terror, that which is quite cosmic and unspeakable. It just gets rid of the tentacles and replaces that by ancient Nordic pagan deities worship mayhem.

Netflix originals are incredibly hit or miss, but in the horror department, this is clearly a hit. It's part The Descent, part The Void, part The VVitch, part Deliverance. It just works, and the movie's self awareness certainly works in its favor. However, if you find the unknown more terrifying that what you can see, you may be disappointed once the movie chooses to make it's big reveal.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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10
TheSpartonFeb 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 keepJust 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 7 users found this helpful52
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7
SEROJJul 8, 2018
Diffenitely worth a watch. Great and dark atmosphere and an interesting plot. The acting and the script were also great but i disliked the ending and i think the main villian was not appopriate for this story.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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9
TryASummersaultFeb 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 isThis 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
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8
offthewallFeb 10, 2018
This was a film well worth watching. It's story sucks you in even before the bizarre twists and turns ramp up the creep factor. Beautifuly shot with a gorgeous panorama. It seems a lot of horror movies disappoint. This one does not.
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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9
AthanasiosTFeb 10, 2018
A modern blair witch, without the shaking camera but with one big-bad forest nightmare. A beautiful horror movie with a great story, acting and cinematography. It'll keep me from hiking in forests, for many years to come.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 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, withThis 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
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8
tellmikeyyJan 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 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
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9
JLauSep 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
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7
MalwareLordApr 28, 2023
Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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