Ritual (2013)

Ritual takes the often used trapped in a motel room thriller and adds in a satanic cult element but doesn't do anything original with the idea.The intro had my hopes up with it's stylish opening and eerie credits with the gradually appearing skull mask setting the mood very well. yet as the movie carried on my interest gradually waned as each scene was a real effort to sit through. An almost totally unlikeable female lead and virtually no chemistry between the two main actors made for every exchange between them a real laborious viewing experience. The cults masks were fairly effective but you never really got to see what they were up to. The strange use of a high pitched whine as scenes got more "intense" was a rather annoying sonic choice that for me didn't pay off. The usual horror movie foolish choices appear but you should be used to that sort of thing if you watch this sort of movie. Obvious comparisons to vacancy are likely but the two movies are almost poles apart in terms of delivery. Vacancy is almost relentless once it gets going were as Ritual is a more sedate slow burn.The biggest problem with Ritual for me was it wasn't any fun. It was just a little too miserable and slow. Ritual is not really a bad movie but having seen it it's probably one I wish I'd waited to watch on the horror channel.

I read the mixed reviews within IMDb yet took a chance with Ritual, despite some initial reservations. Am I glad I did !!!! This movie is a terrific first effort by a young director and is well worth your time. I sat spellbound once things got rolling. The film is well-categorized as a "retro-thriller". An eerie mood is set immediately with its laconic and romantic opening beach scene. This contrasts mightily with the motel setting that traps the couple during the bulk of the film. There were at least two instances where I nearly sharted myself with surprise (excuse me while I change my boxers).One has to question the film IQs of some of our fellow reviewers writing negative critiques. What they "don't get" from Ritual is totally unclear. I understand that the term"retarded" is no longer socially correct. Suffice it to say the some must be "mentally challenged". Savants of the thriller genre will love this film. I promise....you will not be disappointed. And...Clarence is never wrong !!!!!

Great movie, ending sucked, I could crap In a video camera and produce a better ending. Lessons learned In this movie: don't smoke around stabbed people, keep your lighter, don't try to have one night stands, it always ends badly. Don't wear heels ever, you cant run for crap in heels! shoot guns more, you gotta 6 shooter use all 6 bullets not just two! Think faster, make a plan and get the freak out, call the police and admit you were wrong, crap happens thats life! The masks were awesomely creepy! You never know when someone is giving you the run around so always have your guard up! I think we can all learn from this and better ourselves in a sticky situation!

That movie is one of the worst I have seen! If I could call Redbox I would tell them to take that out of the box and ban it! If I could have erased it I would have! Do not waste your money...very disappointing. If I was the writer of that story line I would hide...total garbage! A child could've wrote something better. They said it was a horror flick...really!? What were they thinking!! I think I would rather watch the Blair Witch project and that was a horrible movie too. I think Redbox should automatically refund everyone who wastes their money to rent this movie! This will not get any awards. Oh I might be wrong...maybe for the worst movie of all times!!!! Who thought this was good!? Two thumbs down!