
Ritual - A Psychomagic Story
2013

2018
NRDirector
Ben Nissen
Runtime
105 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Ivan uses experimental meditation to induce out-of-body experiences that might make it possible for him to escape a mysterious illness. His training takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself getting between the marital engagement of two old friends, Emily and John. Unaware of Ivan's secret relationship with his fiancé, John invites Ivan to go on a hiking trip with him. In order to keep up appearances, Ivan agrees to go along. On the trip, John grows ever more suspicious of Ivan's intentions with Emily. A dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues that might provide Ivan an unexpected route to a cure.
Overall Score
Limited
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film features a clandestine relationship between Ivan and Emily that disrupts a traditional engagement. While this suggests non-traditional intimacy, the lack of explicit queer identity keeps the representation limited.
Gender Representation
Emily serves as a central figure in a conflict between two men, shifting the narrative focus. However, the characters remain largely defined by their relational ties to one another.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The narrative provides no evidence of racial blending or a diverse cast. The focus remains strictly on individual psychological and interpersonal conflicts.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The story prioritizes experimental spirituality and meditation over established religious institutions. It offers a subtle critique of traditional social contracts through themes of deception.
Disability Representation
Ivan’s struggle with a mysterious illness places bodily vulnerability at the heart of his motivations. His pursuit of a cure through out-of-body experiences provides a nuanced look at physical limitations.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Nowhere Mind is a psychological thriller that prioritizes individual agency and the breakdown of social facades over demographic breadth. The film explores the intersection of physical illness and psychological experimentation, using a protagonist's medical vulnerability to drive the plot. While the narrative disrupts domestic stability through a web of deception, it lacks explicit intersectional identity markers. The story functions more as a study of moral relativism than a vehicle for systemic social critique. Ultimately, the film's focus on interpersonal conflict and subjective reality leaves significant gaps in racial and overt queer representation.

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