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About The Ritual
Directed by David Bruckner, The Ritual is a psychological folk horror movie starring Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier and Sam Troughton. It was released in the year 2017.
The Ritual is about four UK friends who head out to the Swedish wilderness to bond after one of their mates died in a robbery. As they get further towards their destination one of them gets injured and so they decide to head back to civilisation. However, on the way they start getting picked off one-by-one by some ancient evil which is worshipped by a cult.
Here's our list of movies like The Ritual for you to sink your monstrous teeth into!
It Lives Inside (2023)
Directed and written by Bishal Dutta, It Lives Inside is a supernatural horror movie starring Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Vik Sahay, Gage Marsh, Beatrice Kitsos and Betty Gabriel. It was released in the year 2023.
It Lives Inside is a chilling exploration of cultural identity wrapped in supernatural terror. The story follows Sam, a first-generation Indian-American teen who rejects her heritage to fit into Western society. When her estranged friend Tamira vanishes after releasing a demonic entity known as a Pishach, Sam must confront the horrors of this vengeful spirit - one that feeds on negative energy and reflects the dangers of denying cultural roots. As the entity wreaks havoc, Sam’s bond with her mother becomes pivotal in fighting the evil. The film crescendos with Sam sacrificing herself to become the demon’s vessel, leaving a haunting ending that underscores the ever-present threat of the Pishach and the inescapable pull of heritage.
The Offering (2023)
Directed by Oliver Park, The Offering is a horror-thriller movie starring Nick Blood, Emm Wiseman, Allan Corduner, Paul Kaye, Daniel Ben Zenou and Jodie Jacobs. It was released in the year 2023.
The Offering is a chilling deep dive into Jewish folklore, blending ancient mythology with family tragedy. The story centers on Art, a man desperate to mend his relationship with his father, Saul, who runs a Jewish funeral home, while hiding his own financial woes. But when Art mishandles an ancient amulet during a body preparation, he unknowingly unleashes Abyzou, a demonic entity infamous for preying on children and the unborn.
What follows is a relentless descent into terror, as Abyzou tightens its grip on Art’s family, particularly his pregnant wife, Claire. As father and son struggle to repair their bond, they face the ultimate test against an unyielding evil, leading to a devastating and heart-wrenching conclusion.
Don’t Listen (2020)
Directed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, Don’t Listen is a Spanish supernatural horror movie starring
Rodolfo Sancho, Ana Fernández, Ramón Barea, Belén Fabra, Lucas Blas and Nerea Barros. It was released in the year 2020.
Don’t Listen is a nerve-shredding Spanish horror that turns grief into a gateway for the supernatural. The story follows Daniel and Sara, who move into a new home with their young son, Eric, only to find their lives unraveling when Eric begins hearing sinister voices. Dismissed as his imagination, the haunting takes a dark turn when Eric dies under chillingly mysterious circumstances. Wracked with guilt and terror, Daniel begins hearing the same voices, driving him to seek the help of a parapsychologist, and his daughter. Together, they uncover the house's sinister secrets and face a vengeful spirit tied to a horrifying past, setting the stage for a haunting descent into despair and tragedy.
Apostle (2018)
Directed and edited by Gareth Evans, Apostle is a gothic folk horror starring Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Mark Lewis Jones, Bill Milner, Kristine Froseth, Paul Higgins and Michael Sheen. It was released in the year 2018.
Apostle is a period specific folk horror film. The plot focuses on Thomas who sneaks his way onto a remote island to try and rescue his sister which he believes has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom by a cult. Upon making his way to the island, he masquerades as one of the new cult members and begins to plan to rescue his sister and get off the island. However, he makes a disturbing discovery that the cult is holding a witch captive and in this witch is linked to the island in ways you wouldn't believe.
Apostle also includes one of the most gruesome medieval-style torture deaths you'll ever see so it's worth it for that scene alone.
1922 (2017)
Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, 1922 is a horror movie based on a Stephen King story. It stars Thomas Jane, Neal McDonough, and Molly Parker. It was released in the year 2017. 1922 is about a farmer who is so obsessed with the upkeep of his farm that when his wife tries to sell the farm he kills her and buries her with the help of his son. Unfortunately, for him, his wife’s spirit haunts him until the day he dies.
There are some truly grim moments in 1922. One of which is certainly when Thomas Jane's character murders his wife with the help of their son. Then there's the ghost of his wife and everyone who has died thanks to his selfishness that comes back to haunt him. Not to mention, the house (on the farm) itself, which comes alive - in true Stephen King creepy glory.
The Empty Man (2020)
Directed and written by David Prior, The Empty Man is a supernatural horror movie based on the Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey graphic novel of the same name. It stars James Badge Dale and Marin Ireland and was released in the year 2020.
The Empty Man is a mind-bending horror film that weaves urban legend, existential dread, and cult paranoia into a chilling tale. It follows James Lasombra, a grieving ex-detective, as he investigates the disappearance of his neighbour’s daughter, Amanda. His search plunges him into the terrifying lore of “The Empty Man”, a supernatural entity summoned through an eerie ritual involving an empty bottle and a bridge.
The deeper James digs, the darker it gets, as he uncovers a sinister cult, the Pontifex Institute, dedicated to manifesting entities through collective thought. With reality unraveling around him, James faces shocking revelations that twist his very understanding of existence, leaving audiences questioning everything by the film’s haunting finale.
The Silence (2019)
Directed by John R. Leonetti, The Silence is based on a horror novel of the same name by Tim Lebbon. It stars Kiernan Shipka, Stanley Tucci, Miranda Otto and John Corbett. It was released in the year 2019.
The Silence plunges viewers into a chilling post-apocalyptic world where ancient, bat-like creatures called Vesps are accidentally unleashed from a hidden cave system. With their hyper-acute sense of hearing turning the world into a hunting ground. The story follow deaf teenager, Ally Andrews, whose ability to communicate through sign language becomes the way she and her family can communicate without putting them in mortal danger. However, in a world where one wrong move could summon a swarm of death from the skies, the stakes are incredibly high.
The film takes things up a notch when a deranged cult sees Ally as their messiah and, all of a sudden, Ally faces danger on two fronts. Thematically, The Silence is a fantastic exploration of human desperation and fanaticism. While it might sound similar to movies like "A Quiet Place", this movie is more grittier and a lot more savage. Asking the question: what’s more dangerous — the monsters you can’t see or the ones you can?
Incantation (2022)
Directed by Kevin Ko, Incantation is a Taiwanese folk horror movie starring Tsai Hsuan-yen, Huang Sin-ting, Kao Ying-hsuan, Sean Lin and RQ (Wen Ching-yu). It was released in the year 2022.
Incantation is a spine-chilling Taiwanese horror film that delves deep into the consequences of defying ancient taboos. The story centers on Li Ronan, a mother who, six years earlier, unknowingly triggered a terrifying curse when she violated a sacred ritual while documenting it in a secluded village. Now, the curse threatens her daughter, Dodo, who begins exhibiting disturbing symptoms.
As Ronan races to find a way to break the curse, the lines between reality and superstition blur, plunging her into a nightmare that forces her to confront the dark power of belief and the price of breaking sacred rules. It’s a haunting, tension-filled ride that leaves you questioning the cost of challenging the unknown.
The Influence (2019)
Directed by Denis Rovira van Boekholt, The Influence is a Spanish horror movie starring Manuela Vellés, Alain Hernández, Maggie Civantos and Claudia Placer. It was released on the year 2019.
The Influence dives into the terrifying grip of family secrets and occult pasts. The story follows Alicia, a nurse who returns to her childhood home with her husband and daughter to care for her comatose mother, Victoria. But as they settle in, they quickly realize that the house is plagued by dark forces tied to Victoria’s disturbing history with the occult. As her young daughter, Nora, grows increasingly connected to the sinister energy in the home, Alicia must confront the horrifying legacy that threatens to consume her family.
With its eerie atmosphere and slow-burning tension, The Influence is a haunting tale of generational terror, though its emotional impact is somewhat undercut by the lack of depth in the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter.
The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Directed and written by Bryan Bertino, The Dark and the Wicked is a supernatural horror movie starring Marin Ireland, Michael Abbott Jr. and Xander Berkeley. It was released in the year 2020.
The Dark and the Wicked is a slow-burn, dread-soaked horror film that spirals into a nightmarish descent into terror. Set on a remote farm, the story follows siblings Louise and Michael as they return to care for their dying father, only to find themselves ensnared by a malevolent force tied to their mother’s death. As the supernatural entity grows more aggressive, they are stalked by disturbing apparitions, violent visions, and a series of horrifying deaths.
The film’s eerie atmosphere and psychological torment build to a gut-punch of a conclusion that leaves no room for hope, showcasing the devastating and unrelenting power of an evil presence determined to claim all in its path. The Dark and the Wicked is a bleak, haunting ride that proves some horrors are beyond escape.
No One Gets Out Alive (2021)
Directed by Santiago Menghini, No One Gets Out Alive is a British horror thriller set in America which stars Cristina Rodlo and Marc Menchaca. It was released in the year 2021.
No One Gets Out Alive follows an immigrant named Ambar who moves into a run-down boarding house in search of a better life. As she settles in, she discovers eerie secrets within the building, including a malevolent entity that preys on the residents. The movie combines suspense and supernatural elements as Ambar fights to escape the building's sinister clutches and survive the nightmarish ordeal. A nightmare which is much older than the house itself!
There are some incredibly f***ed up moments in No One Gets Out Alive that'll keep you keep you guessing what happens next. The first has got to be when Ambar encounters the old god entity which feeds on those people who live in the boarding house who have the worst traits. Unfortunately, most people in the boarding house have some pretty horrible traits. In this house - anyone is fair game!
Then there's the ongoing "boarding house discoveries" that Ambar makes as she goes exploring throughout the film. She finds that people have disappeared and, as a result, most of the residents are keeping to themselves.
Finally, there's the nightmarish climax at the end where Ambar confronted with this dream of her mother as she's being sacrificed to the Aztec goddess, Ītzpāpālōtl, who is this giant moth-like creature that is holding Ambar's head in its hands. In the dream, Ambar strangles her mother and this causes Ītzpāpālōtl to retreat into the box from when it came.
Lamb (2021)
Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, Lamb is a bizarre horror movie starring Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson and Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson. It was released in the year 2021.
Lamb blends folk horror with a touch of the surreal. The story follows María and Ingvar, a couple living on a remote sheep farm, who take in a bizarre child after one of their sheep gives birth to a human-lamb hybrid. They name the creature Ada, and, despite her unsettling nature, they begin raising her like their own daughter.
But as the biological mother, a sheep, grows increasingly possessive, tension builds, leading to heartbreaking and disturbing consequences. Lamb is an eerie exploration of grief, loss, and the unnatural, with standout performances. Its haunting atmosphere will stick with you long after the credits roll.
Malevolent (2018)
Directed by Olaf de Fleur Johannesson, Malevolent is a horror movie based on the novel Hush by Eva Konstantopoulos who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ben Ketai. It stars Florence Pugh, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Scott Chambers, Georgina Bevan, James Cosmo and Celia Imrie. It was released in the year 2018.
Malevolent follows Angela, a con artist who, with her brother Jackson, scams people by pretending to investigate hauntings. They’re hired to look into a creepy mansion, but things take a darker turn when they realize the haunting is real. As Angela starts to experience paranormal events herself, she has to deal with her own past and confront new, frightening abilities.
While the story might feel familiar, it still keeps you engaged with plenty of suspense and creepy moments. If you’re into ghost stories with a twist, Malevolent is worth checking out.
The Wretched (2019)
Directed and written by the Pierce Brothers, The Wretched is a supernatural horror movie starring John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, Zarah Mahler, Kevin Bigley, Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden, Richard Ellis, Blane Crockarell, Jamison Jones, and Azie Tesfai. It was released in the year 2019.
The Wretched flips the witch genre on its head, blending tension and dread with a fresh twist. The story follows Ben Shaw, a troubled teen sent to spend the summer with his father in a sleepy coastal town. While working at a local marina, Ben becomes increasingly suspicious of his neighbor, Abbie, whose strange behavior reveals her dark secret: she’s a centuries-old witch whose taken over the body of a woman to feed on children. As Ben uncovers the horrifying truth, he must race against time to save his family from the deadly forces threatening them. With its eerie atmosphere and chilling narrative, The Wretched delivers a haunting mix of classic horror with a uniquely fresh approach.
Eli (2019)
Directed by Ciaran Foy, Eli is a supernatural horror movie starring Kelly Reilly, Sadine Sink, Lili Taylor, Max Martini and Charlie Shotwell. It was released in the year 2019.
Eli follows a boy suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease who’s taken to a private facility by his parents who are promised by the Doctor in charge there’s a cure. With each growing procedure, Eli becomes aware of ghosts and demonic entities haunting this creepy medical facility.
When Eli discovers paperwork proving all previous patients of this mysterious procedure died horribly he begins to distrust everyone. Even his parents. But the final reveal absolutely flips the script on its head culminating in a demonic stigmata with inverted nuns, fire and blood.
Eli is a truly underrated entry into the demonic possession sub-genre of horror. But who’s possessed and why? You’ll have to watch and find out.
Have you seen any of these movies before?
Did you think they were like The Ritual?
Let us know in the comments.
