‘The Devil’s Bath’: New Folk Horror Hit Based on Shockingly True Events

2024 is already proving to be an exciting year for horror, with one standout release now available on Shudder: ‘The Devil’s Bath’. This film might surprise even the most experienced horror enthusiasts with its intense imagery and compelling performances, all while being rooted in real events. Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, known for their impactful psychological thrillers, ‘The Devil’s Bath’ delves into a disturbing true story with a folk horror twist.

Folk horror often uses folklore and ancient beliefs to evoke fear and unease, sometimes incorporating supernatural elements but typically focusing on arcane traditions and superstitions. ‘The Devil’s Bath’ is a prime example of this genre, exploring a dark historical phenomenon known as “suicide by proxy” from the 17th century. This practice involved individuals committing crimes with the hope of being executed by the state to avoid the sin of self-destruction.

Image Courtesy: IGN

The film draws inspiration from historian Kathy Stuart’s book, ‘Suicide by Proxy in Early Modern Germany: Crime, Sin and Salvation’, which explains that perpetrators aimed to die repentantly under divine justice to escape eternal damnation. The movie presents two real-life cases from this obscure period, highlighting the grim realities faced by women who were often the primary victims.

Anja Plaschg stars as Agnes, a young woman whose dreams of a happy marriage are shattered when her husband, Wolf (played by David Scheid), burdens them with debt and neglects her. Agnes’s despair deepens as she struggles with infertility and is alienated by her community. Her attempts to improve her situation with a cursed fertility charm lead her down a dark path, culminating in a harrowing quest for escape.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

‘The Devil’s Bath’ stands out in the folk horror genre for its dedication to historical accuracy and its intense portrayal of the human psyche. Much like other genre classics that blend truth with fiction, this film provides a chilling look at a little-known historical atrocity while maintaining a deeply personal and emotional narrative.

–Farheen Ali