Based on a novel, it's pretty clear that someone along the way of the making of "The Ritual" got their inspiration from the 1977 Canadian movie "Rituals". Not only are the titles of the two movies similar, but both share the theme of several middle aged men hiking in the wilderness and experiencing terror. But the movie also got some inspiration from the movie "The Blair Witch Project", with the supernatural touches to the narrative. Actually, the last twenty minutes or so of the movie do take a more original turn, but I'll leave you to find out what happens if you do decide to see this movie. Derivative as the movie is at times, I will admit that it is never boring, and does get you interested in watching enough to stick to the end in order to see what happens. However, there are a number of unanswered questions along the way, ranging from why the central character keeps having visions of his friend's murder to how the killings in the forest had somehow eluded the local authorities for years. Had questions like these been eventually answered, we would have possible had a compelling, if still somewhat derivative, horror movie. As it is, it's only okay, watchable, but will make you wonder several times why someone during the production did not spot the glaring unanswered questions and have them fixed before filming started.
Review of The Ritual
