The Devil's Bath

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The Devil's Bath

2024

2h 1m

Horror

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

76 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In 1750 Austria, a deeply religious woman named Agnes has just married her beloved, but her mind and heart soon grow heavy as her life becomes a long list of chores and expectations. Day after day, she is increasingly trapped in a murky and lonely path leading to evil thoughts, until the possibility of committing a shocking act of violence seems like the only way out of her inner prison. Giving a voice to the invisible and unheard women of the rural past; THE DEVIL'S BATH is based on historical court records about a shocking, hitherto unexplored chapter of European history.

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Critics Consensus

A squirm-inducing period piece that locates true horror in both mind and spirit, The Devil's Bath might be Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz's most chilling directorial effort yet.

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Adam Nayman

Sight & Sound

Dec 22

That The Devil’s Bath is a tough movie to watch is a testimony to its makers’ talents, as well as their real and ruthless sense of principle.

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Kristy Puchko

Mashable

06/28/2024

Though not a horror movie in the traditional sense, Fiala and Franz's latest delivers an unblinking portrait of inhumanity and festered faith.

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Simon Abrams

RogerEbert.com

06/28/2024

2/4

You don’t need to abandon all hope to enter the movie’s painterly frame, but that sort of blind submission often seems to be the only emotional threshold to cross.

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Ernesto Diezmartinez

Letras Libres

04/30/2025

3/4

In their fourth feature film, their best to date, Austrian directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz confirm their ability to revitalize the very meaning of horror cinema.[Full review in Spanish]

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Carlos Bonfil

La Jornada

04/07/2025

[In The Devil's Bath] the filmmakers fall into predictable psychological clichés...However, these clichés do not constitute a burden for a story that flows impeccably and concentrates, more successfully, on more sordid matters. [Full review in Spanish]

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

02/13/2025

3.5/5

...a story that is as hypnotic in its visual framework when it comes to exposing the social context as it is uncomfortable and disturbing in its constant gore explosions with blood and guts. [Full review in Spanish]

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Red in D

@redindenver May 24

Other than the main character's acting, I couldn't find much to recommend this movie. Many of the scenes (such as one where she's lying on a large mossy ground, humming or singing) go on WAY too long. Before I even got through half of the movie, I began fast-forwarding through those types of scenes. I didn't quite understand how the initial scene of the woman throwing a baby over a waterfall tied in to the main character. In the end, she suffered the same fate ... but I still wondered how her fate led to the main character's fate. I have to say that the fact that the audio wasn't in English was a problem, as instead of being able to concentrate on the scene, I was having to pay attention to the subtitles. I HATE having to watch a movie where I have to spend time READING rather than watching/hearing. It rarely turns out well.

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Brent R

@Brenttttt Dec 31

This movie is absolutely nuts, and the fact that it's based on real events is insane! So glad divorce is much more acceptable now

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Jessica D.

@jessiep Dec 26

Really haunting and dark but slow and atmospheric in a way that feels lethargic. Plenty of ick factor, but not in the way you’d want it.

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Cat K

@RT57294355 Jul 19

Beautiful cinematography and scenery is hurt by an implausible story and weak, pitiful characters. Hated the main character, zero sympathy. It does present an interesting glimpse of a strange historical anomaly, but this could've also been accomplished with a 30-second the-more-you-know video.

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Jason S

@queebo Jul 3

A solid story that lays out how tough life was 270 years ago, but it really drags. Cut 30-40 minutes, and it is a great film.

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Paul M

@RT85301401 05/18/2025

A hauntingly sterile look into 18th century Austrian madness. One of the most disturbing films Ive ever seen, due mostly to its strong sense of overt realism. There are no monsters, there are no jump scares, and there are no creepy haunted dolls, just impeding dread mixed with cold brutality. A must watch for fans of folk horror!

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The Devil's Bath: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1750 Austria, a deeply religious woman named Agnes has just married her beloved, but her mind and heart soon grow heavy as her life becomes a long list of chores and expectations. Day after day, she is increasingly trapped in a murky and lonely path leading to evil thoughts, until the possibility of committing a shocking act of violence seems like the only way out of her inner prison. Giving a voice to the invisible and unheard women of the rural past; THE DEVIL'S BATH is based on historical court records about a shocking, hitherto unexplored chapter of European history.

Director: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Producer: Ulrich Seidl
Screenwriter: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala
Distributor: Shudder
Production Co: Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion, Heimatfilm
Genre: Horror, Drama
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2024
Runtime: 2h 1m