The Ritual

Four college friends who drift apart reconnect for a rugged weekend in a remote forest, hoping to relive better times. What begins as a casual hike becomes an unsettling ordeal as the woods seem to close in around them. A sense of being watched grows, and strange sounds, minus a clear explanation, test their nerves. They stumble upon signs of a tradition or ritual that predates their arrival, hinting at a darker history buried in the trees. Communication frays as fear and fatigue mount, and the group's dynamics under pressure reveal how loyalty and ego can collide when survival becomes the goal. The film keeps revelations at a measured pace, steering clear of neat answers and favoring atmosphere over exposition.

Directed by David Bruckner, The Ritual arrived in 2017 as an adaptation of Adam Nevill's novel with a script by Joe Barton. The tight budget and bleak woodland setting contribute to its claustrophobic mood and indie horror character.

Box office figures show a modest return, grossing about 1.8 million worldwide against a 1 million production budget, underscoring its status as a successful cult hit rather than a blockbuster. It found a longer life on digital and home media platforms.

Within horror circles The Ritual is often cited for its atmospheric dread and its refusal to rely on jump scares. The forest as a character and the unspoken threat it hides have influenced other filmmakers seeking subtle folklore based fear. That approach has encouraged more films to lean on atmosphere and myth rather than gore.

Critics praised the ensemble and Bruckner's restrained approach that pairs character dynamics with folklore. The story probes friendship under pressure, grief, and survival as a hidden menace tests trust and forces hard choices when danger feels close at hand. Viewers also note the restraint leaves room for interpretation and discussion about what the symbols mean and what the characters really fear.