The Ritual – 2017

Synopsis

A group of old college friends reunite for a trip to a forest in Sweden, Northern Europe, but encounter a menacing presence there stalking them.

Following a horrific murder, a group of friends embark on saying goodbye by backpacking along the countryside in the UK. What happens next causes the men to doubt and divide. The old wound of the murder is opened, and real feelings are brought to light. But that is the least of their problems.

I found this gem on Netflix. It has some jump and peek a boo scares. The movie starts with two of the friends, one named Luke, in a convenience store. What they don’t realize, until it’s too late, is that the store is being held up. Luke hides, while his friend is brutally bludgeoned. In the next scene, the remaining friends are out on a backpacking trip to pay their last respects. When they decide to go through a forest as a shortcut, they soon realize that something is not quite right. With runes on the tree trunks and dead animal carcasses hung high here and there, the men begin to argue amongst themselves. Flashbacks to the moment of the murder start to occur for Luke. He starts to relive those final moments of his dear friend, but something else is happening in the woods. That something is out to claim all of them.

I love finding movies that are outside the scope. These movies are not your usual horrors. They may or may not have big budgets, but they tell a good story. The Ritual tells several stories if you pay attention. The main character is constantly living with the guilt of the murder. He is also in a position where some of his friends no longer trust him. Then when they are up against an unknown evil, they have to figure things out or die. Check out The Ritual on Netflix.

Lachelle Redd is an independent author with works on Amazon. Her works include fantasy, horror and science fiction. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her kids and watching movies.