The Ritual Killer

2023 American film by George Gallo

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

CinematographyAndrzej SekulaEdited byYvan GauthierMusic byTom Russbueldt

Production
company

Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment

Distributed by

Redbox Entertainment
Screen Media

Release date

March 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)

Running time

92 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

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

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, 9% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 2.90/10.^[8]

References

^ Wiseman, Andreas (August 17, 2021). "Morgan Freeman & Cole Hauser To Lead George Gallo Action-Thriller Muti; The Exchange To Handle Sales". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
^ Anderson, Rosalyn (August 26, 2021). "Filming underway in the Capital City on Muti starring Morgan Freeman". WLBT. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^ Sneider, Jeff (August 19, 2021). "Exclusive: Murielle Hilaire Joins Cole Hauser and Morgan Freeman in Serial Killler Thriller Muti". Collider. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^ Gallant, Jacob (August 25, 2021). "Morgan Freeman movie filming in Jackson". WLOX. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^ "Movie starring Morgan Freeman, Vernon Davis now filming in Mississippi". WTOK-TV. August 26, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 8, 2021). "Redbox Picks Up Rights To Morgan Freeman & Cole Hauser Action Movie Muti". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
^ Echebiri, Makuochi (February 16, 2023). "'The Ritual Killer' Trailer Shows Morgan Freeman & Cole Hauser Hunting a Vicious Killer". Collider. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
^ "The Ritual Killer". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media.