The Ritual

The Ritual

Year: 2018

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: David Bruckner

Horror

Seeking a way to reconnect, four college friends embark on a hiking trip deep in the Scandinavian wilderness. Their journey takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a mysterious symbol carved into a tree, leading them off the marked path. As they venture further, an unsettling atmosphere descends, and they realize they are being stalked by a sinister presence that tests their friendship and pushes them to the edge of madness.

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Timeline – The Ritual (2018)

Trace every key event in The Ritual (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Friends Reunite

Five old friends from university, Phil, Dom, Hutch, Luke, and Rob, meet at a pub to catch up and discuss potential plans for a group trip. Rob proposes hiking in Sweden but quickly faces resistance from the others, who are not interested in the idea.

Pub
2

The Robbery

After leaving the pub, Luke and Rob stop at a shop where they encounter a robbery in progress. Two armed robbers emerge, and while Rob is confronted, Luke hides in fear, ultimately unable to save his friend from being murdered.

Shop
3

The Hiking Trip

Six months after Rob's tragic death, the surviving friends decide to honor his memory by undertaking a hiking trip along Kungsleden in Sarek National Park, Sweden. The journey begins with mixed emotions as they remember their lost friend.

Sarek National Park, Sweden
4

Injury on the Trail

While hiking, Dom loses his footing and injures his knee, which hamstrings the group's progress. Hutch decides to lead them on an alternate route through a forest that promises to cut their travel time in half.

Forest
5

Strange Discoveries

As they venture deeper into the forest, the group stumbles upon bizarre findings, including a gutted elk hanging from the trees and strange symbols carved into the bark. These eerie phenomena suggest something unnatural in the woods.

Forest
6

Seeking Shelter

As a torrential rainstorm hits, the friends seek shelter in an old, abandoned cabin they find in the woods. Inside, they discover necklaces hanging that bear symbols akin to those found in the forest.

Abandoned Cabin
7

Nightmares and Wounds

The group experiences disturbing nightmares throughout the night. When they wake, Luke discovers peculiar puncture wounds on his chest, raising suspicions about the supernatural forces at play.

Abandoned Cabin
8

Phil's Disturbing Prayer

The group finds Phil in a compromising position, naked and delirious, praying in front of the sinister effigy found in the cabin. This sight profoundly unsettles everyone as they ponder the significance of the object.

Attic of the Cabin
9

Lost in the Woods

The group attempts to leave the cabin and continue their hike, but they soon find themselves lost. An argument erupts between Luke and Dom, with Dom blaming Luke for Rob's death.

Forest
10

The Attack

Hutch goes missing, and the remaining friends follow the sound of his screams deeper into the woods. They come across Hutch's body, gruesomely impaled, which sends them into despair.

Forest
11

The Creature Strikes

After seeing Phil attacked and dragged away by an unseen creature, Luke and Dom flee in terror. They find temporary safety in a nearby cabin but are soon caught and beaten by its inhabitants.

Cabin
12

Captive and Sacrificed

The two men awaken in a basement, restrained and frightened. An elderly woman examines Luke's wounds, while an ominous atmosphere fills the space as they are informed that a sacrifice is being prepared.

Basement of the Cabin
13

Dom's Fate

Dom is taken outside for the ritualistic sacrifice as the villagers worship a terrifying creature from the woods. He has a vision of his deceased wife before he is brutally killed by the Jötunn.

Near the Cabin
14

The Ritual Unfolds

Luke manages to break free and discovers a horrifying congregation of half-alive humans who are remnants of the creature's sacrifices. In a desperate act, he ignites the cabin, causing chaos and drawing the Jötunn.

Cabin
15

Escape and Triumph

Amidst the chaos of the burning cabin, Luke seizes the opportunity to escape. Using an ax, he confronts the creature, ultimately emerging from the forest into daylight and finally escaping towards civilization.

Forest to Paved Road

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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The Ritual Summary

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The Ritual Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Ritual

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