10 Horror Movies To Watch If You Love The Outdoors

3. The Ritual

Why is it so difficult for people to just, you know, stick to a path? You'd think that would be rule number one to follow in a hiker's guidebook, but not when it comes to horror, especially if it's a good one like 2017's The Ritual.

Following a tragedy, a group of university chums embarks on a hiking trip to Sweden to honour their late friend's death, only to find themselves being stalked and subsequently hunted by someone or something that lurks in the woods.

Rafe Spall steals the show here as the guilt-stricken Luke, who blames himself for the death that leaves a cloud of tension hanging over the group. Spall and his cohort's conversations feel equally believable and realistic, which can often not be the case in these types of horrors. 

The Ritual is a brilliant yet chilling watch. It is incredibly creepy at times, as director David Bruckner ramps up the fear factor through the ominous ambiance of branches breaking, creaking trees, and howling winds. Breathtaking cinematography and visuals are accompanied by an ever-looming and unsettling presence that follows the four friends down the rabbit hole of death and despair. 

Lads holidays are always a nightmare to organise at the best of times, so if you had hiking in Sweden on the list, you might want to give it a miss...