The Ritual 2 is the official sequel to the critically acclaimed folk-horror thriller The Ritual (2017) β a film that captivated audiences with its eerie storyline and unforgettable creature inspired by Norse mythology.
In this chilling follow-up, director David Bruckner returns with his signature blend of survival horror and psychological dread. Set once again in the haunting Scandinavian wilderness, the sequel promises a descent even deeper into madness, folklore, and the supernatural.
π² PLOT SYNOPSIS (NO SPOILERS)
Years after the harrowing events of the first film, the forest where it all occurred has been sealed off and declared cursed. But when a team of Swedish documentary filmmakers decides to revisit the site to explore forgotten local legends, they unknowingly awaken something ancient.
They discover that the true horror wasnβt the monsterβit was the unfinished ritual buried beneath the forest floor. Their arrival? It completes the sacrifice the forest has been waiting for.
They came to film a myth… but they became the final offering in a ritual that never ended.
π CAST & CHARACTERS
Bill SkarsgΓ₯rd as Anders HedenstrΓΆm β the ambitious filmmaker with ancestral ties to the ancient rituals of the land.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Liv β a folklore expert who uncovers terrifying truths encoded in ancient symbols and cave carvings.
Joe Keery, Froy Gutierrez, and Noomi Rapace round out the film crew, each carrying personal traumas that the forest will use against them.
πͺ WHAT MAKES THE RITUAL 2 STAND OUT
A Deeply Symbolic, Slow-Burn Narrative This is not just a monster movie. The Ritual 2 delves into ancient belief systems, Norse mythology, and the human conditionβposing questions about guilt, redemption, and the cost of survival.
Authentic, Atmospheric Cinematography Shot entirely on location in Norway and Iceland, the film captures misty forests, ancient ruins, and stark natural beauty, immersing viewers in a setting that feels both breathtaking and menacing.
Haunting Sound & Visual Design With an original score by Ben Frost (composer of Dark), and a natural-light approach to filming, each frame feels like a haunting paintingβand the sound design will make your skin crawl.
π WHO SHOULD WATCH THIS FILM?
Fans of folk horror, slow-burn horror, and stories rooted in ancient mythology or ritualistic themes.
Admirers of films like Midsommar, The Witch, Hereditary, or The Wicker Man.
Anyone who enjoys a horror experience that is atmospheric, symbolic, and psychologically intense.
π¬ EARLY REVIEWS
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% (Critics β Early Access)
IMDb: 8.1/10
Selected as the Opening Film at the Sundance Horror Fest 2025
Critics are calling it: βNot just a horror movieβbut a deeply immersive cinematic ritual.β
ποΈ FINAL THOUGHTS
The Ritual 2 (2025) is more than just a sequelβitβs a chilling evolution of folk horror cinema. With haunting visuals, a mesmerizing score, and a narrative steeped in myth, guilt, and sacrifice, it stands tall as one of the defining horror films of 2025.
βYou donβt find the ritual. The ritual finds you.β
I was incredibly impressed by how The Ritual 2 doesnβt just carry the eerie energy of the originalβit expands the entire mythology in a way thatβs both terrifying and beautifully cinematic. This isnβt a film for jump-scare seekers. Itβs a slow descent into ancient darkness, made for viewers who love being pulled into an immersive, unsettling world.
