Modern horror cinema has taken a fascinating turn toward the ancient and arcane in recent years. Moving away from simple jump scares and slasher tropes, filmmakers have increasingly drawn upon ritual, folk horror, and witchcraft to create deeper, more unsettling fears. These films tap into primal anxieties about the unknown forces that might lurk beyond our understanding, using carefully crafted atmospheres and disturbing imagery to leave lasting impressions on viewers.
The following five modern horror films stand out for their exceptional use of witchcraft and ritual elements. Each creates a uniquely terrifying experience while demonstrating the impressive evolution of horror storytelling in contemporary cinema. From isolated New England farms to remote Swedish forests, these films invite viewers into worlds where ancient practices collide with modern sensibilities—often with devastating consequences.
Here’s 5 Modern Horror Movies About Rituals and Witchcraft
1. The Witch (2015): Puritanical Fear Meets Folk Horror
Film Overview
Set in 1630s New England, Robert Eggers’ directorial debut follows a devout Puritan family exiled from their plantation to the edge of a foreboding forest. As mysterious events begin to plague them—crops fail, a baby vanishes, and accusations of witchcraft arise—the family spirals into paranoia and religious hysteria. Teenage daughter Thomasin finds herself increasingly at the center of suspicion as unseen forces tear the family apart.
Masterful Blend of Ritual Elements
What sets “The Witch” apart is its meticulous historical accuracy combined with genuine folk horror traditions. The film doesn’t merely use witchcraft as a plot device but explores how belief systems themselves can become weapons. The rituals depicted—from prayer to satanic ceremonies—feel uncomfortably authentic, drawing from actual historical documents and folklore. Eggers creates a world where the line between religious devotion and occult practice blurs disturbingly, suggesting that perhaps the real horror lies in human conviction rather than supernatural forces.
Viewing Experience
This isn’t a film for those seeking quick thrills or easy scares. Instead, “The Witch” delivers a slow-burning psychological descent that rewards patient viewers with mounting dread. The archaic dialogue (taken directly from period sources) and desaturated visuals create an immersive historical atmosphere rarely achieved in horror. Though some viewers might find the deliberate pacing challenging, those who surrender to its rhythms will discover one of the most unsettling horror experiences of recent years.
Where to Watch
“The Witch” is currently streaming on Netflix and available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. For the full atmospheric effect, watch it after dark with quality headphones to appreciate Mark Korven’s disquieting score.
Quick Fact
The film’s dialogue was crafted directly from primary historical sources including journals, diaries, and court records from actual witchcraft trials, lending the film its distinctive authentic speech patterns.
2. Hereditary (2018): Family Trauma Meets Occult Horror
Film Overview
Ari Aster’s devastating debut follows the Graham family as they navigate grief following the death of their secretive grandmother. As strange occurrences mount and family dynamics unravel, matriarch Annie (Toni Collette) discovers her mother’s involvement with a mysterious cult. What begins as a study in generational trauma gradually reveals itself as something far more sinister, building toward one of the most shocking third acts in recent horror history.
Ritual Elements That Disturb
“Hereditary” excels in its subtle introduction of occult elements before its explosive finale. Ritualistic symbols appear throughout—carved into walls, hidden in plain sight in family photos, and manifesting in increasingly disturbing ways. The film suggests that the family has been unwittingly participating in an elaborate ritual for generations, blending domestic scenes with occult practices in ways that contaminate even the most innocent family moments. The result is a ritualistic horror that feels invasive and inescapable.
Why It’s Worth Watching
Few horror films have balanced family drama and supernatural terror as effectively as “Hereditary.” Toni Collette delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as a mother caught between grief, artistic obsession, and dawning supernatural horror. The film’s unflinching look at family dysfunction provides a solid emotional foundation that makes the supernatural elements all the more disturbing. When the ritual aspects fully emerge, they feel earned rather than imposed—a natural extension of the family’s disintegration.
Streaming Availability
“Hereditary” can be found on Showtime and is available for rent or purchase on most major platforms including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play. For maximum impact, this film demands minimal distractions and a quality sound system to catch the subtle audio cues throughout.
Behind-the-Scenes Detail
The intricate miniature houses shown throughout the film were actually created by production designers rather than CGI, reflecting protagonist Annie’s profession as a miniature artist and adding another layer of unsettling realism to the production.
3. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016): Clinical Setting Meets Ancient Magic
Film Overview
This tightly constructed horror follows father-son coroners Tommy and Austin Tilden as they perform a late-night autopsy on an unidentified woman found at a brutal crime scene. As they methodically examine the body, they discover increasingly impossible anomalies—internal wounds without external trauma, strange symbols carved into organs, and bizarre objects embedded within the corpse. What begins as a medical procedure gradually transforms into a desperate fight for survival as ancient forces awaken.
Witchcraft Elements That Innovate
Director André Øvredal brilliantly reinvents witch-related horror by placing it within the clinical confines of a modern morgue. The ritualistic elements unfold through scientific discovery rather than overt supernatural displays. Each medical finding contributes to a larger picture of historical witchcraft persecution and revenge, creating a unique narrative where modern forensic science collides with centuries-old black magic. The film suggests that even the most rational approaches cannot contain or explain true occult power.
The Viewing Experience
Few horror films maintain tension as effectively as “The Autopsy of Jane Doe.” The single-location setting—a basement morgue during a thunderstorm—creates natural claustrophobia that intensifies as supernatural elements increase. Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch deliver grounded performances that make their growing terror believable. The film excels at creating dread through suggestion rather than explicit imagery, though it doesn’t shy away from graphic autopsy scenes that test squeamish viewers.
Where to Stream
“The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is available on Netflix in select regions and can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. This film particularly benefits from headphone viewing to catch the subtle audio cues that build throughout.
Fascinating Detail
Actress Olwen Kelly, who plays the titular Jane Doe, had to remain completely motionless for hours during filming. She used meditation techniques to maintain her stillness during the extensive autopsy scenes, creating one of cinema’s most unnervingly passive yet threatening presences.
4. You Won’t Be Alone (2022): Folk Horror Meets Visual Poetry
Film Overview
Set in 19th-century Macedonia, this haunting folk tale follows Nevena, a young woman raised in isolation after being claimed by an ancient witch known as Old Maid Maria. After gaining the witch’s shape-shifting abilities, Nevena explores human existence by inhabiting different bodies—a young woman, a man, a mother, and a child—while struggling to understand human connection and her own supernatural nature. The film becomes a meditation on identity and humanity viewed through an otherworldly lens.
Witchcraft as Metaphor
Unlike more conventional horror films, “You Won’t Be Alone” uses witchcraft and ritualistic elements as vehicles for exploring deeper themes of gender, identity, and social belonging. The film depicts witchcraft as both curse and liberation, showing how supernatural abilities both isolate and potentially free the protagonist. Traditional folklore elements blend with poetic visuals to create a witch narrative that transcends simple scares for something more contemplative and emotionally resonant.
Why It Stands Out
This isn’t standard horror fare—director Goran Stolevski creates something closer to arthouse cinema with horror elements. The film moves deliberately, using minimal dialogue and emphasizing visual storytelling through stunning natural landscapes and intimate character moments. While some viewers might find it challenging for its unconventional approach, those seeking thoughtful horror that lingers in the mind will appreciate its unique perspective and atmospheric immersion.
Streaming Options
“You Won’t Be Alone” is available on Peacock and can be rented or purchased from Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. This film particularly benefits from being viewed on the largest screen possible to appreciate its stunning natural cinematography.
Intriguing Production Note
Though set in Macedonia, the film was actually shot in Serbia, with Australian director Goran Stolevski bringing his multicultural perspective to this tale of outsidership and belonging. The film features dialogue in an old Macedonian dialect specifically developed for authenticity.
5. The Ritual (2017): Friendship Horror Meets Ancient Worship
Film Overview
Following a traumatic robbery that results in their friend’s death, four British men honor his memory by hiking through northern Sweden’s wilderness. After one injures his knee, they decide to take a shortcut through a dense forest, where they encounter strange symbols, mutilated animals, and an overwhelming sense of being watched. As night falls, bizarre nightmares and hallucinations plague them, forcing each to confront both personal guilt and an ancient presence that hungers for sacrifice.
Ritual Elements That Frighten
As the title suggests, ritualistic horror forms the core of this film’s terror. Director David Bruckner expertly weaves Norse mythology and pagan worship into modern psychological horror. The forest itself becomes a ritual space where ancient practices continue uninterrupted by time. What begins as strange tree formations and cryptic symbols evolves into full ceremonial horror as the group discovers a community still practicing worship of entities older than Christianity. The film suggests that some rituals never truly die—they simply wait in forgotten places.
Viewing Appeal
“The Ritual” balances character-driven drama with increasingly supernatural elements. The film’s strength lies in how it transforms a familiar “lost in the woods” premise into something genuinely unique through its mythology and creature design. The interpersonal tensions between the friends provide emotional weight that makes the horror elements more impactful. While the final act reveals more than some horror films might, the creature design alone justifies this creative choice.
Where to Find It
“The Ritual” is currently streaming on Netflix globally. The film’s dark forest settings make it ideal for nighttime viewing in a completely darkened room to appreciate its shadow play and atmospheric tension.
Behind-the-Scenes Insight
The film’s remarkable creature design—a unique interpretation of the jotunn from Norse mythology—was created by Keith Thompson, known for his work with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The design deliberately incorporates elements of worship and sacrifice into its physical form.
The Enduring Appeal of Ritual Horror
Modern horror filmmakers have discovered that ancient practices provide fertile ground for contemporary fears. These five films demonstrate the remarkable range possible within ritual-focused horror—from historical accuracy to innovative reimaginings. By grounding supernatural elements in recognizable human behaviors and beliefs, these films create horror that feels simultaneously ancient and immediate.
Drop your thoughts in the comments about which of these ritual-focused horror films disturbed you most—or which one you’re brave enough to watch next.
