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Review: David Bruckner’s ‘The Ritual’ is a Merciless Creature Feature

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The Ritual

“If a shortcut were a shortcut, they wouldn’t call it a shortcut, they’d call it a route”  – Dom

The Ritual is David Bruckner’s seventh feature to his credit and fifth film in which he directed, adapted from the 2011 novel of the same name by Adam Nevill. If you’ve seen the film, read the excerpt below and you will note that the filmmakers didn’t stray far from the novel’s story and atmosphere.

Excerpt from the book:

“Something responsible for the bestial presence that follows their every step. And as the four friends stagger in the direction of salvation, they learn that death doesn’t come easy among these ancient trees…” 

Film synopsis:

“Reuniting after the tragic death of their friend, four college pals set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. A wrong turn leads them into the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil exists and stalks them at every turn.”

I’ve watched The Ritual four times since it was released on Netflix and – in all honesty – I love this movie. To be fair, I have a strong affinity for creature features so maybe I’m a little biased. But… that being said, I found this particular addition to the sub-genre to be a cut above the rest.

What sets The Ritual apart:

First of all, Bruckner’s direction took a relatively simple concept – A group of friends lost in the woods find that isolation and exposure to the elements is the least of their problems, when they discover a superior being with nefarious intentions – and elevates it through his use of tracking shots and stunning cinematography.

You may be familiar with director David Bruckner from his work on the first segment from the original VHS anthology, Amateur Night. In Bruckner’s short, three college friends – one equipped with glasses which includes a camera – ditch their hotel for a night on the town in the hopes of bringing women back to their room to make an impromptu and secretive sex tape. They meet a woman named Lilly who turns out to be nothing short of terrifying, and their night takes an unexpected turn.

Bruckner’s short was so effective that in 2016 it was adapted into a feature film titled Sirendirected by Gregg Bishop. While The Ritual is dramatically different in tone, it’s clear that Bruckner is a name to watch out for.

The image below incorporates Bruckner’s specific style – at least in respect to The Ritual. He specializes in tracking shots of ominous locations in the wilderness that may or may not be hiding something (look closely at the image below… there’s a monster in there).       

Related image

The Loneliness of the Dog Guides

There’s something about real-world locations in place of sets or studios that makes the horror so much more effective. As far as I can tell, the majority of The Ritual was shot on location in the Scandinavian wilderness.

If you remove the monster and the terror that comes from becoming lost, those woods are extremely creepy. This specific setting paired with an ominous score and the primeval and cosmic sound design of the titular monster creates a unique and crushing atmosphere.

What I found to be quite notable was the acting and story. It may sound generic, but the performances and dialogue felt so genuine that I wouldn’t be surprised if a vast majority of it was improved.

All of the characters are distinct and serve a necessary purpose. In the short on-screen time span there are specific character developments between the two primary characters, Luke and Dom. Both start out as pretty unlikable characters, but by the climax of the film they’re completely changed for the better due to their horrific experiences in the woods.

Related image

via horrorfreaknews

The Monster:

The entity described in the film is called a “Jötunn“, a bastard child of Loki, although the creature’s morphology is potentially more directly inspired by other Norse legends.

For instance, the creature’s unique and grotesque physiology sounds like the “Nuckelavee” which is a half-horse and half-human entity. In the image above, the creature clearly resembles a very large elk or moose, while the head appears to be made up of two fused human torsos. The “head” is submerged within the torso where only the eyes are visible.

The design is mesmerizing and haunting.

 

The Ritual can be streamed on Netflix, and I strongly recommend that anyone who loves horror and appreciates mythology should check it out.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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