4.5
Where can I stream The Ritual legally?
You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Ritual fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Terrifying and tense
Fast from start to finish.
- Scare9
- Tension8
- Adrenaline7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy5
- Catharsis4
- Wonder4
Humor
Some dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor5
- Absurdist Humor3
- Wit & Wordplay2
World
The mind, everyday modern life, and mystery
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality6
- Novelty6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Intrigue8
- Direction7
- Acting7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
HighTerrifying and tense
Fast from start to finish.
The Ritual is terrifying, tense, and thrilling.
All energy traits
- Scare9Frightening moments and scares.
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence6Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Uncanny7Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Melancholy5Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Pathos3Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Hopefulness3Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Family Dynamics2Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age1Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Spiritual7Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowSome dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some dark humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor5Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Absurdist Humor3Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumThe mind, everyday modern life, and mystery
Its world is built around the mind, everyday modern life, and mystery.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Contemporary Realism7Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Spiritual7Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
Craft
HighSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Dialogue Quality5Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You scare easily
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
You must have faith.
Two priests, one in crisis with his faith and the other confronting a turbulent past, must overcome their differences to perform a risky exorcism.
Exorcism ThrillerDemonic HorrorFaith vs. DoubtPsychological TensionSupernatural MysteryAtmospheric DreadIntense & DisturbingReligious Horror
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like The Ritual
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: The Ritual
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Ritual
The Ritual2025
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Incantation (2022)Heartless (2010)The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)Stir of Echoes (1999)The Old Ways (2021)The Eye (2002)Anything for Jackson (2020)Sea Fever (2020)He Never Died (2015)Exhuma (2024)The Devil's Candy (2016)A Christmas Horror Story (2015)The Omen (1976)Q (1982)Cuckoo (2024)Splinter (2008)It's Alive (1974)Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022)Kill List (2011)Willow Creek (2013)The Gravedancers (2006)The Empty Man (2020)The Shrine (2010)Presence (2025)What Keeps You Alive (2018)The Blue Elephant (2014)The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)They Will Kill You (2026)In Fear (2013)Paranormal Activity (2007)The Rig (2023)Willard (2003)Sick (2022)The Howling (1981)The Canal (2014)Nightwatch (1994)The Blue Elephant 2 (2019)The Addiction (1995)Bhediya (2022)Sirāt (2025)Dobaaraa (2022)Black Christmas (1974)The Wretched (2019)Cure (1997)Don't Listen (2020)Next Door (2005)Prince of Darkness (1987)Night Watch (2004)Evil (2019)Black Box (2020)Cropsey (2010)The Night Eats the World (2018)Gerald's Game (2017)Enter Nowhere (2015)Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004)Banshee Chapter (2013)The Hidden (1987)Monkey Shines (1988)Cronos (1993)The Black Cat (1934)Cube (1998)Hellhole (2022)The Block Island Sound (2021)Absentia (2011)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Ritual
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Ritual worth watching?
36
WeakGoodWatch scoreReviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 36/100 (IMDb 4.5, Rotten Tomatoes 8%, and Metacritic 33). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Ritual rated?
NRViolenceDisturbing imagery
It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Ritual?
1 h 38 min
The Ritual runs 1 h 38 min.
Is The Ritual based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Ritual?
Critics21
Audiences50
Not quite. Audiences rate The Ritual higher (50) than critics (21). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
What language is The Ritual in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Ritual?
45
+31
+31GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Ritual in 45 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Ritual use?
Bears Are Bad NewsForeboding CarcassDue to the DeadKneel Before ZodHuman SacrificeImpaled with Extreme PrejudiceBig BadSinister Deer SkullLovecraft LiteBilingual BonusDon't Go in the WoodsYou No Take Candleand 48 more
TV Tropes lists 60 storytelling tropes for The Ritual, including Bears Are Bad News, Foreboding Carcass, Due to the Dead.