The Ritual (2017) is a slow-burning, atmospheric horror film that blends psychological trauma, folk horror, and survival terror into a deeply unsettling experience. Directed by David Bruckner and based on a novel by Adam Nevill, the movie proves that you do not need jump-scare overload to leave a lasting scar.
Detailed Summary
A Traumatic Beginning in London
The film opens with four friends, Luke, Dom, Hutch, and Phil, sharing drinks in a convenience store. A sudden armed robbery turns fatal when Luke hides instead of helping Dom, who is killed. This moment becomes the emotional core of the movie. Luke’s guilt and unresolved trauma quietly haunt every scene that follows.
The Hiking Trip Goes Wrong
Months later, the surviving friends honor Dom’s memory by hiking through the remote forests of northern Sweden. What begins as a bonding trip quickly turns tense due to old resentments, physical exhaustion, and Luke’s growing sense of unease.
When one of them injures his knee, the group decides to take a shortcut through the forest. This choice seals their fate.
The Forest Feels Alive
The woods are not normal. The friends experience shared nightmares, disturbing symbols carved into trees, and the eerie sense of being watched. They discover an abandoned cabin filled with pagan artifacts and a grotesque wooden effigy. The atmosphere shifts from discomfort to outright dread.
Phil is found brutally killed, and the remaining men realize something inhuman is stalking them.
Encountering the Cult
Luke and Hutch stumble upon a small, decaying village inhabited by mute, elderly worshippers. These people worship an ancient creature they call Jötunn, a bastard offspring of Loki from Norse mythology. The creature grants extended life in exchange for eternal worship and submission.
Luke is singled out by the creature, tormented with visions of Dom’s death and offered release from guilt if he submits.
Movie Ending
The final act fully reveals the nature of the horror.
Luke witnesses Hutch being sacrificed to the creature, hung upside down in a ritualistic offering. The villagers kneel in worship as the Jötunn, a towering, skeletal, deer-like monstrosity with humanoid traits, emerges.
The creature does not simply kill. It breaks people psychologically, forcing them to relive their worst memories until they submit. Luke is offered the same fate: kneel, worship, and live forever free from guilt.
Instead, Luke chooses pain over submission.
He refuses to kneel, screaming defiance as the cult chants around him. In a moment of raw survival instinct, Luke escapes the village and runs into the forest. The creature chases him but cannot follow beyond the forest’s boundary, screaming in rage as Luke emerges into open daylight.
The final image shows Luke battered, traumatized, but alive, standing at the edge of the woods while the creature roars behind the trees. The ending confirms that Luke survives physically, but his emotional scars remain unresolved. The horror ends, but healing does not magically begin.
This ending reinforces the film’s core theme: survival is not victory, but refusal to surrender your humanity is.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. The Ritual does not include a post-credits or mid-credits scene. The story ends definitively with Luke’s escape and the creature’s final scream.
Type of Movie
The Ritual is a folk horror survival film with strong psychological elements. It emphasizes atmosphere, dread, and emotional trauma rather than fast-paced scares or gore.
Cast
- Rafe Spall as Luke
- Arsher Ali as Phil
- Robert James-Collier as Hutch
- Sam Troughton as Dom
- Maria Erwolter as the Elder Cultist
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Ben Lovett, who delivers an oppressive, minimalist soundtrack. The music relies heavily on low drones, distorted tones, and silence, allowing tension to build naturally rather than forcing emotional cues.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Romania, standing in for the Swedish wilderness.
The dense forests were chosen because they feel claustrophobic and endless, reinforcing the idea that escape is nearly impossible. The natural environment is not just a setting but an active antagonist, mirroring Luke’s psychological entrapment.
Awards and Nominations
While not a major awards contender, The Ritual received:
- Nominations at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
- Strong recognition at genre festivals for Best Horror Film
- Critical praise for creature design and atmosphere
It has since become a cult favorite among modern horror fans.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The creature design was kept secret from the actors to capture genuine reactions.
- Director David Bruckner wanted the monster revealed late to avoid overexposure.
- The forest shoot was physically exhausting and intentionally uncomfortable.
- The final creature design was inspired by distorted Norse iconography rather than traditional mythology.
Inspirations and References
- Based on the novel The Ritual by Adam Nevill
- Inspired by Norse mythology, specifically corrupted versions of ancient gods
- Influenced by folk horror classics like The Wicker Man (1973)
- Psychological themes echo films like Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The original novel features a much darker second half, involving black metal culture and urban horror elements. The film intentionally removed these to maintain tonal consistency.
Some deleted scenes expanded the cult’s rituals and Luke’s hallucinations, but they were cut to preserve pacing and ambiguity.
Book Adaptation and Differences
While faithful in spirit, the movie differs significantly from the book:
- The novel shifts to modern urban horror in its final act
- The cult is more elaborate and explicit in the book
- The film simplifies the mythology for emotional focus
- Luke’s internal monologue is far more detailed in the novel
The film’s version is widely considered tighter and more cinematic.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The convenience store robbery that defines Luke’s guilt
- Waking up inside the cabin beneath the effigy
- First full reveal of the Jötunn
- Luke screaming defiance instead of kneeling
Iconic Quotes
- “This forest isn’t right.”
- “It wants us to kneel.”
- “I’m not kneeling.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Norse runes carved into trees foreshadow the creature’s origin
- The effigy resembles early Viking wood idols
- The creature’s hand has human-like fingers, symbolizing corrupted divinity
- Luke’s visions become more frequent as submission nears
Trivia
- The monster required a performer in a partial suit combined with CGI
- The creature’s roar is layered with animal and human screams
- Netflix acquired distribution after the film’s festival success
- The runtime was intentionally kept under two hours to maintain intensity
Why Watch?
If you enjoy slow-burn horror, mythology-based monsters, and films that explore grief and guilt through fear, The Ritual is a must-watch. It trusts the audience, respects silence, and delivers one of the most memorable creature designs of the 2010s.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Night House (2020)
- Southbound (2015)
- The Signal (2007) – segment director
- Hellraiser (2022)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Witch (2015)
- Midsommar (2019)
- A Dark Song (2016)
- Hereditary (2018)
- The Descent (2005)
