Saturday, September 23, 2023

Samhain Project Season 3: The Ritual

 



Imagine a combination of The Descent, Midsommar, and Dog Soldiers.  If that sounds like the cat's pajamas to you, then you're gonna dig the British flick The Ritual.   Its main drive is the "bros on vacation" trope that has been done before, but a tragedy runs a line through the movie pretty ingeniously that gives this flick its pulse.  

Rafe "You've got red on you" Spall leads the cast, as you have four young Englishman who go on an annual adventure of some sort, doing that in the northern Swedish hills in this particular instance.  Due to a particularly clumsy member of their group's injury, they choose to take a shortcut through the woods to their destination, what appears to be an isolated, but luxury lodge. 

You know this is a bad idea, of course. 

What ensues are mysterious Blair Witchian consequences, both natural and supernatural, and a survival quest that feels like some of Neil Marshall's best work.  The Ritual does a pretty good job of keeping you guessing, with a seasoning of creeping you out, and some solid edge-of-your-seat action.  

Recommended, mate.

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