~upd~ | The Devils Bath
Forget jump scares. Forget ghosts. The true horror of The Devil’s Bath is that it is almost entirely real. The Austrian directing duo behind Goodnight Mommy have crafted a slow-burn nightmare set in 1750s Upper Austria. This is not a film about a woman possessed by the devil; it is a film about a woman who wishes she were.
The film has been compared favorably to Robert Eggers’ The Witch (2015) for its immersive period authenticity and psychological terror. While not a conventional horror movie, it is arguably “the scariest thing that Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz have ever made.”
Set in 1734 rural Austria, the movie follows Agnes, a deeply religious young woman who marries into a cold, strictly agrarian community. Trapped in an unhappy marriage and unable to cope with the rigid societal expectations of her time, Agnes falls into a profound, paralyzing depression. the devils bath
The plot follows Agnes, a deeply religious and sensitive young woman who marries into a new family. Her hopes for a loving, fruitful life are quickly dashed. Her husband, Wolf, is emotionally distant and seemingly unable to consummate the marriage. His domineering mother, Gänglin, controls every aspect of Agnes's life, from cooking to chores, leaving the young wife isolated and constantly criticized. As Agnes sinks deeper into despair, her mental state deteriorates, and she spirals into a severe depression—the "devil's bath" of the title. Her wifely duties are neglected, she stops caring for the farm animals, and she begins to self-harm.
To circumvent this, individuals suffering from severe depression would commit a capital crime—most frequently the murder of an innocent child. Because children were viewed as untainted, the killers believed the victims would go straight to heaven. The perpetrators would then confess their crimes, express genuine remorse to a priest, and receive absolution before being executed by the state, thereby securing their own passage to heaven. Critical Reception Forget jump scares
The Devil's Bath Film Review (Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala)
The film is drenched in oppressive atmosphere. The cinematography is stunning yet bleak, utilizing natural light and candlelight to create a world that feels tangible and claustrophobic. The dense, shadowy forests and the stark, grey interiors of the home mirror Agnes’s internal collapse. The sound design is equally effective—the silence of the house is deafening, punctuated only by the sounds of chores, insects, and the ominous tolling of church bells. The Austrian directing duo behind Goodnight Mommy have
True to its name, this geothermal pool looks like a basin of toxic lime-green liquid. The vibrant, otherworldly hue is not dye or pollution; it is a result of high concentrations of . As groundwater seeps deep into the earth, it is superheated by volcanic magma. The water dissolves minerals like arsenic, antimony, and mercury from the surrounding rocks before rising back to the surface.
Part 2: The Devil's Bath in New Zealand – A Volcanic Marvel
Unlike a relaxing hot tub, stepping into The Devil’s Bath is lethal. The water temperature hovers near boiling point (over 100°C or 212°F). Furthermore, the pH level is highly acidic (often below 2.0), meaning it can cause third-degree chemical burns instantly. Human remains found in such pools are usually dissolved within 24 hours.
When you hear the phrase "The Devil’s Bath," a series of stark images likely comes to mind. You might picture a bubbling volcanic mud pool, a stagnant, poisonous swamp, or a medieval torture device. In reality, the term refers to three distinct and fascinating phenomena: a natural geological feature, a dangerous psychological state from early modern Europe, and a critically acclaimed historical horror film.