The Ritual

Main Plot

The Ritual follows a group of four friends who embark on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness to honor a deceased friend. As they navigate the dense forest, they decide to take a shortcut through a remote area, which leads them deeper into an unsettling and eerie landscape. The group soon encounters strange occurrences and unsettling signs that suggest they are not alone. Tensions rise as they grapple with their fears and the haunting memories of their past. As they delve further into the woods, they uncover dark secrets tied to ancient folklore and a malevolent presence that stalks them. The friends must confront their own inner demons while trying to survive the terrifying forces that threaten to consume them in this nightmarish journey.

Characters

• Rafe Spall plays Luke, a man haunted by guilt who faces supernatural forces during a hiking trip with friends in the Scandinavian wilderness.
• Arsher Ali plays Phil in "The Ritual," a character who is part of a group of friends encountering supernatural forces while hiking in Sweden.
• Robert James-Collier plays Hutch in "The Ritual," acting as the pragmatic, group leader during a hiking trip in Sweden that encounters supernatural forces.

Ending Explained

In the ending of The Ritual, the remaining characters confront the terrifying entity that has been haunting them throughout their journey in the Swedish wilderness. After a series of harrowing events, the protagonist, Luke, finds himself alone in a hidden grove where he encounters the monstrous creature, a manifestation of their fears and guilt. This entity, a result of ancient pagan rituals, symbolizes the psychological burdens the group carries, particularly related to the death of their friend. As Luke faces the creature, he is forced to confront his own cowardice and the trauma of their past. In a climactic moment, he chooses to fight rather than succumb to despair. The ritualistic nature of the creature's existence is revealed, emphasizing the themes of sacrifice and the struggle against inner demons. Ultimately, Luke's confrontation leads to a moment of clarity, allowing him to accept his past and the loss of his friend. The film concludes with Luke's escape from the grove, but he is left profoundly changed. The haunting imagery of the creature lingers, suggesting that while he has physically escaped, the psychological scars remain. This ending encapsulates the film's exploration of guilt, survival, and the haunting nature of unresolved trauma.