If you like slower paced horror/thrillers which are more geared towards the psychological aspect then there is a good chance you could like The Ritual. It IS on the slow side but it never feels like it drags at all. The slower parts of the film still has story development and you actually see the various cracks forming between the group of friends as time goes by during these moments. I've read reviews as well saying that questions are unanswered, but I think the answers are subjective for audience members rather than just plainly being told outright.
There is a genuine uneasiness to parts of the film as well with very subtle glimpses of something here and there until the last 15-20 minutes where you see everything. I'm not sure if I liked that or not as with films like these sometimes what you don't see can be scarier than what you do see. Still, the build up is done pretty well and it keeps your interest even if it is only just to eventually see what is stalking the 4 friends. The creep factor is definitely not off the chart but like I say there is a definite uneasiness to it.
The area where it falls for me I think is the main pace of the film. I generally don't mind slower films but it just seemed that this was dragged out, like it was a 45 minute episode of a TV program beefed up to be and hour and a half. It was just a wee bit too repetitive as well....have a trek through the forrest, followed by a few scares at night then repeat the next day. It just felt like it took a while to pick up.
This is worth a watch especially if you prefer more psychological horrors like I said earlier, but just don't expect too much.
There is a genuine uneasiness to parts of the film as well with very subtle glimpses of something here and there until the last 15-20 minutes where you see everything. I'm not sure if I liked that or not as with films like these sometimes what you don't see can be scarier than what you do see. Still, the build up is done pretty well and it keeps your interest even if it is only just to eventually see what is stalking the 4 friends. The creep factor is definitely not off the chart but like I say there is a definite uneasiness to it.
The area where it falls for me I think is the main pace of the film. I generally don't mind slower films but it just seemed that this was dragged out, like it was a 45 minute episode of a TV program beefed up to be and hour and a half. It was just a wee bit too repetitive as well....have a trek through the forrest, followed by a few scares at night then repeat the next day. It just felt like it took a while to pick up.
This is worth a watch especially if you prefer more psychological horrors like I said earlier, but just don't expect too much.