The Ritual

A group of estranged college friends reunite for a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness to honor their deceased friend. What starts as a bonding experience quickly devolves into a nightmarish ordeal when they become lost and are stalked by a terrifying ancient creature lurking in the forest. They must confront their past traumas and find a way to survive the escalating horror.

Early buzz for 'The Ritual' suggests a return to atmospheric folk horror, with critics praising its unsettling tension and creature design. Audience reactions are anticipated to be divided, with some appreciating the slow-burn dread and others expecting more immediate scares.

• Praised for its increasingly terrifying atmosphere and effective build-up of dread.

• The creature design and mythology are cited as a unique and frightening element.

• Some reviewers note a reliance on familiar horror tropes, but argue the execution elevates the material.

Google audience: As a film not yet released, specific Google user reviews are unavailable. However, based on similar folk horror releases, audiences often appreciate visceral scares and unique monster concepts while sometimes finding pacing issues or predictable plot points.

None notable (as the film has not yet been released)

The film is set in the vast forests of Sweden, known for their dense woodland and folklore, providing a natural and unsettling backdrop for the unfolding terror.