First Look at The Ritual 2 (2024)

General Information:

• Director: David Bruckner (rumored to return, but unconfirmed)
• Writers: Based on the novel by Adam Nevill, with screenplay by a returning writer or a new team
• Cast:
  • Rafe Spall as Luke (potential return)
  • Other Cast Members: TBA (Possibly new characters or returning survivors)
• Studio: Netflix, with Bruckner’s signature horror style expected to continue
• Release Date: Fall 2024

Plot Overview:

The Ritual (2017), a gripping survival horror thriller, ended on a high note with Luke surviving the terrifying encounter with the ancient forest deity, but leaving many questions unanswered. The Ritual 2 (2024) will likely continue Luke’s harrowing story, diving deeper into the trauma he experienced in the forest and the ominous consequences of what was unleashed in the first film.

While plot details are scarce, it’s possible the sequel could pick up shortly after the events of the first film, with Luke grappling with the psychological aftermath of his ordeal. He might return to society only to find that the forest’s curse follows him, either in the form of nightmares, hallucinations, or even tangible supernatural occurrences that threaten his life and the lives of those around him. The mythological creature, the Jötunn (the forest deity), could potentially resurface in a new form, or the evil might spread to other locations, forcing Luke into a new journey.

The second film could delve into the mythology behind the creature and the forest itself, exploring how it manifests and why it preys on certain individuals. New characters might be introduced, perhaps survivors of similar experiences, or individuals who unknowingly stumble upon the cursed woods. The story could shift to a different setting—another remote wilderness, an urban environment, or perhaps a rural town where the effects of the curse spread.

The psychological and horror elements would remain central, focusing on Luke’s post-traumatic stress, the breakdown of his sanity, and his potential search for answers. The tension, isolation, and oppressive atmosphere of the first film would be important elements carried over to the sequel, ensuring that fans of the original film’s eerie atmosphere will feel right at home.

Key Highlights:

1. Luke’s Psychological Struggles
   • One of the most compelling aspects of The Ritual was the emotional and psychological trauma that Luke experienced, particularly his guilt over the death of his friend. In The Ritual 2, this theme could be expanded, exploring how Luke is coping with survivor’s guilt, post-traumatic stress, and the lingering effects of his encounter with the supernatural. His relationship with reality could become increasingly fragile as he tries to escape the memories of the forest’s horrors.
   • The psychological horror of the film could delve deeper into Luke’s fear that the forest’s curse might not have ended when he left the woods. Hallucinations, nightmares, and an ever-present sense of being hunted could provide intense tension throughout the film.
2. Expansion of the Mythology
   • The original film focused heavily on the ancient Norse mythology surrounding the Jötunn, the forest god. The Ritual 2 will likely expand on this mythology, revealing more about the creature’s origins, its purpose, and perhaps other enтιтies like it. The dark forest setting could be central to the film’s story, but the sequel could explore new locations that are similarly haunted by ancient forces.
   • The deeper lore behind the forest, the sacrifice rituals, and the cult-like nature of the Jötunn’s followers could be explored in greater detail, providing more context for what happened in the first film and why it is so terrifying. This could involve flashbacks to the history of the forest, ancient rituals, and even survivors from past centuries who were affected by the same supernatural force.
3. The Forest Deity (Jötunn)
   • The menacing, mythological creature, the Jötunn, could return in some form, either as a physical manifestation or as a lingering force that haunts Luke. It’s possible the creature might evolve, adapting to its environment, or it could be revealed that other creatures in the forest were influenced by the same dark power.
   • The Jötunn’s motivations and connection to the forest may also be explored, offering new clues about its origin and purpose. The forest’s dark power could be growing, spreading, or seeking new victims, making it all the more dangerous and unpredictable.
4. New Characters and Expanded World
   • The sequel might introduce a new group of individuals who unknowingly stumble upon the cursed forest, or perhaps they’re connected to the Jötunn in some way. They could be researchers, thrill-seekers, or descendants of previous victims. This would allow for fresh perspectives on the terror of the forest while giving the film the chance to introduce new dynamics between characters.
   • The addition of new characters could provide opportunities for different kinds of horror—group dynamics, betrayal, and the desperation of trying to survive in the face of unknown horrors.
5. Survival Horror and Isolation
   • One of the most effective elements of the original The Ritual was its feeling of isolation and helplessness in the forest. The sequel could maintain this tone, with characters trapped in locations where help is unreachable, and the environment itself seems to work against them. The oppressive atmosphere of the wilderness could be just as much of a threat as the supernatural forces.
   • Expect the same sense of dread and mounting tension that the original film excelled at—characters lost in the wilderness, desperate for survival, facing both natural and supernatural obstacles that prey on their fears and weaknesses.
6. Grim, Atmospheric Cinematography
   • The Ritual was known for its stunning, atmospheric cinematography, capturing the eerie and ominous beauty of the forest. The Ritual 2 would likely continue this tradition, with haunting visuals of dark forests, desolate landscapes, and unsettling locations that amplify the sense of dread. The cinematography will play a crucial role in maintaining the atmosphere of tension, where every shadow feels like a potential threat, and every crack in the ground may lead to something horrifying.

Potential Concerns:

1. The Pressure of a Sequel
   • The first Ritual was highly praised for its atmosphere, character depth, and unique horror elements. The sequel will have to be careful not to fall into the trap of repeating the same plot points. It will need to introduce new, inventive scares while expanding on the mythology in a way that feels organic and fresh, rather than rehashing the original film’s scares.
2. Maintaining Suspense and Mystery
   • The Ritual thrived on its slow-burn tension and mystery surrounding the creature in the woods. The sequel will have to keep that same sense of suspense without revealing too much too quickly. If it’s not careful, The Ritual 2 could risk over-explaining the horror, which could diminish the sense of mystery that made the first film so compelling.
3. Balancing Horror and Character Development
   • While the horror aspects are crucial to The Ritual 2, the sequel will also need to focus on character development, particularly Luke’s emotional journey after surviving the forest. Balancing character-driven drama with visceral horror will be essential to ensuring the film has depth and is not just a series of frightening set-pieces.

Verdict:

The Ritual 2 (2024) has the potential to build on the eerie atmosphere and psychological horror that made the original film so memorable. With Luke returning to face the lingering effects of his traumatic encounter in the forest, and an expanded mythology around the Jötunn and the ancient forest, the sequel promises to deliver a new layer of horror, mystery, and tension. If the filmmakers can successfully balance the mythology, character development, and atmospheric horror, The Ritual 2 could be a worthy follow-up that fans of the first film will appreciate.

Anticipation Level: High (for horror fans and those who enjoyed the first film)
Rating (Based on Early Expectations): 8/10
Impact: Likely to be a popular choice among horror lovers, especially those who enjoy atmospheric, slow-burn supernatural thrillers with a strong psychological core.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.