The Ritual Killer

The Ritual Killer is a 2023 American action-thriller film directed by George Gallo. It stars Morgan Freeman and Cole Hauser. It was released by Screen Media and Redbox Entertainment on March 10, 2023.

The Ritual Killer
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	George Gallo
Screenplay by	Robert T. Bowersox Jennifer Lemmon Francesco Cinquemani Giorgia Iannone Luca Giliberto Ferdinando Dell'Omo
Story by	Joe Lemmon Francesco Cinquemani Giorgia Iannone
Produced by	Joe Lemmon Bret Saxon Jeff Bowler Andrea Iervolino Monika Bacardi Danielle Maloni
Starring	Morgan Freeman Cole Hauser
Cinematography	Andrzej Sekuła
Edited by	Yvan Gauthier
Music by	Tom Russbueldt
Production company	Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment
Distributed by	Redbox Entertainment
Release date	March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Premise

Unable to process the death of his daughter, and suicide of his wife, Clinton, Mississippi Homicide Detective Lucas Boyd embarks on a hunt for a serial killer who murders according to a brutal tribal ritual known as Muti. The only person who can help Boyd is Dr. Mackles, an anthropologist and local college professor hiding an unspeakable secret.

Cast

• Morgan Freeman as Dr. Mackles
• Cole Hauser as Detective Lucas Boyd
• Vernon Davis as Randoku
• Giuseppe Zeno as Inspector Mario Lavazzi
• Murielle Hilaire as Detective Kersch
• Luke Stratte-McClure as Detective Claussen
• Mayumi Roller as Deelie Boyd
• Brian Kurlander as Shelby Farner
• Julie Lott as Doctor Mannheim
• Destiny Loren as Katie Franklin
• Peter Stormare as Captain Marchand

Production

In August 2021, it was reported that George Gallo would direct the action thriller film Muti. The screenplay was written by Bob Bowersox, Jennifer Lemmon, Francesco Cinquemani, Giorgia Iannone, Luca Giliberto, and Ferdinando Dell'Omo, based on a story by Joe Lemmon, Cinquemani and Iannone. Cole Hauser, Morgan Freeman, Peter Stormare, and Vernon Davis were announced as part of the cast.^[1] Filming began that same month in Jackson, Mississippi, with Murielle Hilaire and Julie Lott joining the cast.^[2][3][4] Additional filming took place in Rome, Italy.^[5]

Release

In September 2021, Redbox Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film in the United States and Canada.^[6] In February 2023, the film's trailer was released, revealing its new title, The Ritual Killer. It was released by Screen Media in theaters, on demand and as a DVD and Blu-Ray Redbox exclusive on March 10, 2023.^[7]

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 10% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 2.90/10.^[8]