Researching the Ritual

Hello, my loyal listeners I am back at it again with a new movie to look into! Today I am researching the movie called The Ritual which is about the reunion after the tragic death of their friend, four college pals set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. A wrong turn leads them into the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil exists and stalks them at every turn.

Conventions I will base my movie on:

Setting: Remote Forest: Most of the film is set in a dense, eerie forest in Northern Europe. The setting contributes to the film's atmosphere, providing a sense of isolation and primal fear.

P.O.V. Shots: The film occasionally uses point-of-view shots, especially during intense and suspenseful scenes, to give the audience a glimpse of what the characters are experiencing.

Low-angle shots: Low-angle shots are employed to create a sense of vulnerability and to emphasize the intimidating nature of the forest and its surroundings.

Wide shots of the Forest: The film utilizes wide shots to capture the vast and foreboding forest, emphasizing the isolation and helplessness of the characters.

Elements I liked:

Jump cuts: Jump cuts are used to create a sense of disorientation and unease, especially as the characters face supernatural elements in the forest.

Rapid editing during suspenseful scenes: Fast-paced editing is employed during moments of horror and suspense to intensify the impact on the audience.

Isolation and Helplessness: The film effectively utilizes the convention of isolating characters in a remote and foreboding environment. The dense forest creates a sense of isolation, making the characters more vulnerable to the supernatural threats.

Elements I did not like:

Jump Scares: If the film relies heavily on jump scares, and they are overused and predictable, I am going to reconsider incorporating them in my final task. People will appreciate well-timed jump scares, while others may prefer a more atmospheric and psychological approach.

Limited Character Development: Characters in horror films are not fully developed. This lack of depth really hinders my engagement with the story, I want to prioritize character development in my project.

Close-ups: Close-ups are used to heighten tension and convey the characters' emotions, particularly during moments of fear and discovery. This works I just wouldn't use this for the hunter I want there to be a reveal.

That is all until next time!