Depending on whether you are referring to the starring Al Pacino, the 2017 Netflix original , or the novel by Adam Nevill , reviews vary significantly from "worst of the year" to "modern horror classic." The Ritual (2025 Movie)
Which version of were you looking for—the Pacino exorcism film , the Netflix hiking horror , or the original novel ?
: Reviewers from The Hollywood Reporter and Empire describe it as a "rote" and "tired" retread of The Exorcist . The use of "shaky cam" and extreme close-ups was widely panned for being nauseating and distracting .
: Critics praise its atmospheric dread , creature design, and the exploration of male guilt and trauma.
: Widely praised for its visceral survivalism and psychological tension as the friends get lost in the woods.
: While Variety noted Pacino was surprisingly subdued rather than "hamming it up," many felt his talents were wasted on a cliché-ridden script.
“ The first half was absolutely incredible; it's not often a book scares me enough to sleep with the lights on but this one did.” Amazon UK