The Ritual

Lost in the Woods, Found in Fear: A Review of "The Ritual"

David Bruckner's "The Ritual" throws four friends into a Scandinavian wilderness on a hiking trip meant to heal old wounds. What begins as a somber but ultimately cathartic journey quickly descends into a terrifying sojourn into the heart of primal fear, driven by a grotesque, ancient entity that embodies the darkness lurking within us all.

The film cleverly sets the stage, introducing us to Luke (Rafe Spall), the grieving father struggling to cope with the death of his son; Hutch (Joe Cole), the charismatic but deeply troubled figure still haunted by his past; Phil (Adam Buxton), the loyal friend battling anxiety; and Mark (Robert James-Collier), the insecure yet surprisingly level-headed one. It's through their interactions that we see glimmers of the past trauma that binds them, a foundation upon which Bruckner skillfully constructs an atmosphere of impending doom.

As their trek deepens, the group stumbles upon an unsettling clearing marked by archaic symbols and sinister occurrences. What seems like a simple detour quickly morphs into a desperate fight for survival as an unseen terror stalks them through the dense forest. "The Ritual" masterfully utilizes the terrifying isolation of the wilderness, the oppressive weight of overgrown woods, and the ever-present fear of the unseen to ratchet up the tension.

But the true nightmare comes in the form of "The Toge," a hulking, skeletal figure with a chillingly human-like presence and insatiable hunger. It's a Lovecraftian terror made flesh, a manifestation of the darkest instincts of mankind. The creature's unnerving design and relentless pursuit create a visceral fear that permeates every frame, leaving the audience breathless and on edge.

As the group dwindles, individual traumas are exposed and exploited. Each friend faces their demons, revealing the fragility of their bonds and the depths of their despair. Luke, consumed by guilt and grief, becomes increasingly desperate, blurring the line between fear and responsibility. Hutch, wrestling with a past betrayal, succumbs to paranoia and aggression. Phil, ever the anxious one, is driven to the brink by the horrors surrounding him. Mark, the steadfast beacon of reason, struggles to hold the group together amidst the unraveling chaos.

The climax sees a brutal confrontation with The Toge, a desperate fight for survival that ultimately reveals the true horror of the entity: it feeds on fear, on the primal darkness within us. The film ends on a chilling note, leaving the audience to ponder the nature of fear and the terrifying potential for darkness within every human heart.

"The Ritual" is more than just a horror film; it's a meditation on grief, guilt, and the struggle for redemption. While the creature design and supernatural elements are undoubtedly terrifying, it's the exploration of human darkness that truly lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Spall and Cole delivering particularly powerful and emotionally resonant portrayals of men grappling with their deepest demons. Bruckner's direction is masterful, balancing atmosphere and tension with visceral scares, creating a genuinely terrifying and profoundly disturbing cinematic experience.