The Ritual

Right now you can watch The Ritual in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Rafe Spall anchors it, but the writing does the real work. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

There is a reason The Ritual keeps coming up in conversation. At its heart, The Ritual understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A group of college friends reunite for a trip to the forest, but encounter a menacing presence in the woods that's stalking them. Rafe Spall and Arsher Ali lead a cast that gives the tension real weight. It was released in 2017. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — The Ritual passes that test consistently. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, The Ritual delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Rafe Spall anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.