The Ritual Killer (2023) Movie Review

Occasionally, a movie is released that is so repugnant and morally bankrupt that it raises questions about how and why it was allowed to be made in the first place. The Ritual Killer, a serial killer thriller directed by George Gallo and written by a team of screenwriters, is one such movie. It is exploitative, gratuitously graphic, racist, poorly conceived, and ridiculous, with a narrative that fails to engage the audience.

Watching The Ritual Killer is like witnessing the "hold my beer" meme in action, as it constantly tries to outdo itself with absurd plot twists and appallingly bad performances, culminating in a finale that is both dumb and morally reprehensible. The film centers on homicide detective Lucas Boyd, played by Cole Hauser, who is portrayed as a macho, bullying law enforcement officer who is justified in murdering a suspect who he believes to be guilty. This endorsement of police brutality sets the tone for the rest of the film and is just the first of many problematic elements.

Within the first ten minutes of the movie, it becomes clear that the filmmakers have no interest in creating a coherent or engaging narrative. The character development is shallow, and the script is poorly written, relying on tired tropes and clichés. The reveal of Lucas' tortured background is so silly and overacted that it is difficult to take anything seriously, no matter how tragic the incidents are.

One of the most uncomfortable aspects of The Ritual Killer is its portrayal of an African man named Randoku, played by Vernon Davis, who is a serial killer with a penchant for ancient black magic. Randoku uses the Muti, a type of black magic that involves the use of body parts from his victims to provide mystical benefits to wealthy clients. This portrayal of African black magic is lazy and culturally insensitive, with no attempt made to provide any real cultural specificity or depth.

The movie's script also abandons all logic, with Randoku being portrayed as a supposedly crafty serial killer who inexplicably blows his cover and slashes people's throats in broad daylight. His entire plan for finding victims is astoundingly dumb and serves only to draw attention to himself.

George Gallo tries to salvage the movie by introducing Morgan Freeman as a university professor specializing in African black magic. However, even Freeman's presence cannot save this film from being hollow and superficial. Lucas' presence as a protagonist becomes increasingly disturbing as the story progresses, and there is nothing worth praising about the movie except that it technically plays on the screen and is watchable.

The Ritual Killer starts off offensively bad and only gets worse as it progresses. The movie's ending is asinine and idiotic, making it clear that the filmmakers had no idea what they were doing. It is difficult to imagine why anyone would want to watch this movie, let alone pay money to do so.

In conclusion, The Ritual Killer is a deeply problematic movie that should be avoided at all costs. Its exploitation of police brutality, racist portrayal of African black magic, and overall lack of coherence make it an abhorrent experience. There is no redeeming value to this movie, and it is a shame that talented actors like Cole Hauser and Morgan Freeman were wasted on such a poorly conceived and executed project. It is a testament to the power of marketing that this movie was even released, and it is a clear example of how not to make a film.