Netflix has purchased the acclaimed supernatural horror The Ritual from eOne for $4.75 million, meaning the service will distribute the film worldwide after its theatrical run. There is disappointing news for us in the UK however, because it will not hit UK Netflix. Boo! We’ll just have to do it the old-fashioned way and buy the DVD/Blu-ray.
The film follows a group of friends who embark on a hiking trip through a Scandinavian forest, but stumble upon a few freaky moments on the way. The trailer showcases typical horror scares like an abandoned cabin, dead animals strung up on the trees and strange shrines that suggest a – you guessed – demonic ritual. However, there is a breath of fresh air in the film’s preoccupation with the guilt that plagues one of the characters and, as mentioned, the subtle string of comedy provides a much-needed reprise from the horror. Remind yourself of the trailer below; it’s excellent.
The Ritual comes from director David Bruckner (The Signal, Southbound) and has a hit cast that includes Rafe Spall, Robert James-Collier, Arsher Ali and Sam Troughton.
The Ritual is one of our favourite horror films of the year, so look out for our review soon. For now, check out our interview with director David Bruckner right here and our review of the novel here.
The Ritual will be released in the UK on a very fitting Friday 13th October 2017.
Words: Jessy Williams (@JessyCritical)
