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The Ritual

The Ritual is a 2017 British supernatural psychological horror film directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Ritual is a 2017 British supernatural psychological horror film directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton. The story follows four friends hiking through a Swedish forest after the death of a friend, who become trapped by a hostile presence. The film is based on Adam Nevill's 2011 novel and premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.

Plot

Four friends travel through a Swedish old-growth forest and become trapped by a hostile presence. Their journey turns into a survival story involving guilt, trauma, and an ancient cult. The film blends supernatural, psychological, and folk-horror elements, and the creature is identified as a giant moose-like jötunn called Moder, an ancient god-like being.

Cast

The principal cast features Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton as the four friends. Supporting roles include other characters encountered in the forest and the surrounding cult.

Production

The film was directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton. Sources indicate it was filmed in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania rather than Sweden.

Adaptation

The film is based on Adam Nevill's 2011 novel The Ritual. While it keeps the central premise, it adapts the story into a cinematic horror survival narrative.

Key facts

  • The story follows four friends hiking through a Swedish forest after the death of a friend.
  • The film blends supernatural, psychological, and folk-horror elements.
  • It is adapted from Adam Nevill's 2011 novel The Ritual.
  • The main cast includes Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton.
  • The creature is identified as a giant moose-like jötunn called Moder, an ancient god-like being.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and later reached a wider audience through streaming, making it familiar to Canadian horror viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Ritual about?
It is about four friends hiking through a Swedish forest who are stalked by an ancient evil presence after the death of their friend.
Who is in The Ritual?
The main cast includes Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton.
Where was The Ritual filmed?
Sources indicate it was shot in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania.
Is The Ritual based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Adam Nevill's 2011 novel The Ritual.
What is the creature in The Ritual?
The creature is identified as a giant moose-like jötunn called Moder, described as an ancient god-like being and offspring of Loki.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ritual_(2017_film)
    Supports: Basic film credits, plot premise, and creature identification.
  2. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/12/the-ritual-review-rafe-spall-brit-horror
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, and Swedish forest setting.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5638642/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary involving friends on a trip in Sweden.
  4. PLM McMillan — https://www.plmcmillan.com/blogging/2021/09/02/the-ritual-movie-review
    Supports: Filming location in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania and adaptation from Adam Nevill's novel.
  5. Knowledge Commons — https://www.caitlinduffy.hcommons.org/2018/09/19/the-ritual-2017/
    Supports: Toronto International Film Festival premiere and adaptation from the 2011 novel.