Introduction: “The Ritual,” directed by David Bruckner and based on the novel by Adam Nevill, is a folk horror film that blends psychological terror with ancient mythology. It tells the story of four friends who embark on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness to honor their recently deceased friend. However, their journey quickly turns into a nightmare as they encounter an ancient evil lurking in the forest.

Plot Summary: The film opens with five university friends—Luke, Phil, Dom, Hutch, and Rob—reuniting at a pub in London. They discuss plans for their next trip, eventually deciding on a hiking adventure in Sweden. Tragically, the night ends with Rob being killed during a liquor store robbery, leaving the remaining four friends devastated.

Six months later, the group sets off on their planned hike through the Swedish wilderness to honor Rob’s memory. As they venture deeper into the forest, tensions rise, and the friends begin to experience strange occurrences. They come across a gutted elk hanging from trees, unsettling symbols carved into bark, and a sinister cabin containing an effigy with antlers.

When the group takes shelter in the cabin overnight, they experience terrifying nightmares and supernatural occurrences. The next day, Dom injures his knee, forcing the group to take a shortcut through the woods. As they navigate the dense forest, they realize they are being stalked by an unseen presence.

One by one, the friends are confronted by their fears and guilt over Rob’s death. Hutch is the first to disappear, and his body is later found impaled on tree branches. The remaining friends struggle to survive as they are pursued by a monstrous creature, revealed to be an ancient Norse deity worshipped by a cult in the forest.

The climax sees Luke and Dom captured by the cult, who plan to offer them as sacrifices to their god. Luke manages to escape and confronts the creature, drawing on his guilt and trauma to fight back. In a final showdown, Luke sets the creature’s lair on fire and escapes the forest, emerging into the daylight.

Themes and Analysis: “The Ritual” explores themes of grief, guilt, and the bonds of friendship. The supernatural elements are deeply intertwined with the psychological struggles of the characters, particularly Luke, who is haunted by his inability to save Rob. The film’s use of the Scandinavian wilderness as a setting amplifies the sense of isolation and vulnerability, making the horror feel both primal and intimate.

The creature, inspired by Norse mythology, serves as a manifestation of the group’s inner demons and the ancient, unyielding forces of nature. The film’s folk horror elements are rooted in the contrast between the modern characters and the ancient, pagan rituals they encounter, highlighting the clash between contemporary rationality and archaic superstition.

Conclusion: While “The Ritual” may not have resonated with everyone, particularly those not fond of folk horror, it stands out for its atmospheric tension, character-driven narrative, and the chilling portrayal of an ancient evil lurking in the depths of the forest. It is a film that delves into the human psyche, using horror to explore the weight of guilt and the struggle for redemption.