Des Teufels Bad

Greetings again from the darkness. If you simply have too much happiness and joy in your life right now, filmmakers Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz (GOODNIGHT MOMMY 2014, THE LODGE 2019) have an elixir for you. Their film, based on historical records from 1750 in Upper Austria, is just about as bleak as any movie I can recall. It has the look and feel of a folk horror, but it's more about a slow trek to madness by way of depression.

If you haven't stopped reading yet, you should know that the film looks gorgeous thanks to cinematographer Martin Gschlatt (GOODNIGHT MOMMY 2014, REVANCHE 2008). The color palette and camera work bring a texture to the film that is rarely seen on screen. But enough optimistic chatter. The opening sequence finds stressed out new mother Ewa (Natalia Baranova) carrying her screaming baby through the woods to the top of a stunning waterfall near the Austrian Alps. We next see Ewa at the church confessing, "I've committed a crime." It's what's known as 'suicide by proxy' so that one's sins may be forgiven prior to execution. The ultimate loophole.

We next see Agnes (musician Anja Plashg) as she prepares for her wedding. In fact, this may be the only glimpse of happiness in the entire film ... at least as I recall. Of course, my initial description of the film would not be accurate if Agnes' joy lingered. Her mood turns quickly at the reception as she spots her new husband Wolf (David Scheid) leering longingly at another man, and then making things worse with his actions in their wedding night bed. This is after he blows all of their money on a house Agnes doesn't much like. Wolf chose it since it's close to his mother's house. Maria Hofstatter plays one of the most intrusive mothers-in-law one could be stuck with.

The rest of the film is us following the slow descent of Agnes, as each day's misery builds upon the previous. Trips to "the Barber" are horrific, and Agnes desperately searches for a way out of the situation. The practical effects here are excellent, combining with the cinematography, acting, and direction for a technically stellar film. However, it does feel like a celebration of suffering, and it's likely more for cinephiles than it is for the average movie goer. It opens with a tragically violent act, soon followed by another. Then we are subjected to Agnes' helplessness in a hopeless situation, until we finally end with more violence. Enjoy Austria's Oscar submission for Best International Film!

Re-releasing in select theaters on November 13, 2024 and streaming on Shudder.