The Ritual (2017)

Entertaining, engrossing and at times genuinely unnerving, Bruckner’s bad trip is one for horror fans to relish.

While thoughtfully done, the entertainment value of this sombre scare fiesta isn’t high. It’s about life’s paths taken and the rituals (and fears) we submit to.

Eventually, the filmmakers reveal the secrets they'd previously withheld, spoiling the film's sustained mystique.

Straightforward, unpretentious and well-acted, this is a solid if unsurprising genre piece.

Spall is good casting in the lead: miserable, hangdog, humorous and scared, like a handsomer version of Josh Widdicombe. James-Collier is a fierce screen presence: some film-maker needs to find something more for him to do.