Austria Submits Berlinale Prizewinning Thriller ‘The Devil’s Bath’ for Oscars International Feature Film Race

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for unraveling tales steeped in historical context and psychological intrigue, I must say that “The Devil’s Bath” has piqued my interest significantly. Having traversed the labyrinth of cinematic narratives that delve into the human psyche, I find myself captivated by this period psychological thriller set in 18th-century Austria.


“The chilling psychological thriller known as ‘The Devil’s Bath,’ which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival, has been put forth by Austria as their official contender in the category of international feature films for the Oscars. This film won a Silver Bear award for outstanding cinematography (by Martin Gschlacht) during the Berlinale.”

“I’m a fan of ‘The Devil’s Bath,’ a movie directed by the talented Austrian duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. They are known for their work on ‘Goodnight Mommy,’ which premiered at Venice and even represented Austria in the Academy Awards race. Later, it was remade into an English-language film titled the same, starring the brilliant Naomi Watts.”

1750, in the rustic heartland of Austria, unfolds the tale of “The Devil’s Bath” with Anja Plaschg, the rising talent Soap & Skin, taking center stage. In this role, Plaschg portrays Agnes, a young wife who feels stifled by her husband’s world that lacks emotion and is confined to chores and obligations. Agnes, a devout and highly emotional woman, succumbs to despair, eventually performing an act of startling violence which she perceives as the sole escape from her inner torment.

Drawing inspiration from actual events, “The Devil’s Bath” explores the hardships faced by women in a time when their lives were governed by strict religious beliefs and societal taboos, as depicted by instances where they resorted to murder as a means of escaping the condemnation associated with suicide.

In North America, the movie is distributed by Shudder. Additionally, it has been acquired by the streaming service for viewing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Worldwide distribution rights are managed by Playtime.

“Film ‘The Devil’s Bath’ was jointly created by Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion, Heimatfilm, and Coop99 Filmproduktion.”

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2024-08-02 12:16