Key Takeaways:
– ‘The Ritual’ is a Netflix horror movie that combines a survival tale with supernatural elements.
– The main antagonist is a supernatural entity derived from Norse mythology called Moder.
– Moder has various supernatural powers and appears as a terrifying monstrous creature.
– The creature’s key weakness is limited to its inability to leave its forest dwelling.
Diving into ‘The Ritual’
The mystique of the rural setting makes for some fabulous horror movie scenarios, and Netflix’s ‘The Ritual’ is no exception. This 2017 movie, directed by David Bruckner, masterfully blends elements of folk horror, cult horror, and haunted house horror, all in the creepy backdrop of a Swedish forest. However, the real scare factor comes from an unusual supernatural beast called Moder. Let’s dive into the tale of ‘The Ritual’ and the enigmatic god, Moder.
Unpacking ‘The Ritual’
‘The Ritual’ is a disturbing journey from bad to worse for a group of hikers. Rob, Luke, Dom, Phil, and Hutch set out for a fun hike in Sweden. However, after Rob falls victim to violent robbers, the remaining friends dedicate the hike to him, only to wander off the trail into a strange forest. The group faces a twisted series of mysterious and horrifying events, culminating in the terrifying revelation: the forest is inhabited by a monstrous deity known as Moder. The seemingly innocent hike soon devolves into a nerve-wracking supernatural horror show, featuring creepily devout cultists, grisly ends, and a petrifying confrontation with Moder.
Delving into Moder: A God Machine of Terror
Moder hails from a lineage that most horror movie monsters would undeniably envy. According to the movie’s mythology, Moder is a Jötun, a colossal creature from Norse mythology often depicted in conflict with the Asgardian gods. The terrifying monster is even claimed to be the offspring of the noted trickster god Loki, adding to its formidable reputation.
Described as a massive four-legged beast bearing an eerie resemblance to an elk, its head is an unsettling amalgamation of human and animal traits. Its intimidating form features human-like appendages and two overpowering yellow eyes that adds to its monstrous demeanor. This uncanny combination of human and animal structure makes Moder the perfect antagonist for a folk horror film.
Unveiling Moder’s Powers and Vulnerabilities
While its gigantic stature and chilling monstrous look are terrifyingly real, Moder’s astounding abilities truly seal its place as a supernatural deity. It possesses transformative abilities, implying it can assume any form it desires. Additionally, it grants a form of immortality to its devoted followers, although this comes with the twisted caveat of them becoming mummified monsters trapped within the forest.
Despite its considerable powers, Moder has one significant weakness. It appears incapable or unwilling to leave the forest boundary. As a result, those who can escape its woodland realm are free from its clutches.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, ‘The Ritual’ offers a distinctive blend of survival and horror genres, magnified by the terrifying presence of a unique supernatural entity, Moder. This movie, undoubtedly, is an exhilarating reinvention of folk horror, injecting a mythical monster deity into a hike gone horribly wrong, thus, transforming it into a forest of nightmares. So, if you’ve got a craving for some spine-chilling thrill, ‘The Ritual’ is one horror flick that promises to deliver.
