Set during the Autumn Equinox in the late 1990s, director Manu Herrera’s horror film “Lily’s Ritual” embraces ritualistic unease, classic horror sensibilities, and a gradual buildup that ultimately erupts into complete, unrestrained chaos.
The setup is classic folk horror with a gothic Spanish riff. Four friends head to an isolated forest house to complete a witchcraft initiation tied to the four elements. Enter Lily (Maggie García), a quiet newcomer who quickly realizes she’s not quite as included as she thought. The film pivots into something much darker, with demonic undertones and a looming sense that this ritual was never meant to end well for her.
Herrera clearly has a deep love for ’90s horror, and it shows. The film starts off feeling like a folk horror cousin to “The Craft,” but mutates into something more sinister and intense. There’s also a streak of strange, surreal energy running through it that makes it feel like a cult oddity in places.
I applaud the film’s commitment to practical effects, which makes all the difference. The makeup work is genuinely impressive. The vampires (and other things lurking in the shadows) feel tactile and dangerous, and the gore is unapologetically graphic. By the final act, it turns into a full-blown bloodbath. Horror fans who appreciate practical, wince-inducing effects will have a lot to enjoy.
This isn’t a film that’s just about shock value, however. There’s a strong sense of atmosphere where rituals feel eerie and deliberate, the forest setting is oppressive, and there’s a steady undercurrent of dread. There’s also a surprising bit of lyricism woven in, giving off a slightly off-kilter, dreamlike quality that elevates it beyond a simple genre film.
Serving up a stylish slice of Spanish folk horror with a practical effects and a mean streak, “Lily’s Ritual” successfully blends body horror, supernatural terror, and old school sensibilities. It’s creepy, it’s gross, and it builds to a finale that definitely doesn’t pull its punches.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 