This Austrian film is a haunting look and portrayal of mental illness and depression at a time and society that demonizes such. This is based on true accounts and criminal records from an incident in Germany in 1704, and delivers a stunning period account of one woman’s descent into madness, and the liturgical framework that drove her actions. The authenticity and attention to detail in the setting, rites and rituals for this community is fantastic, with many subtleties likely lost on American audiences, yet important points delivered organically. This is far more a drama than a conventional horror movie, most genre aficionados will find themselves utterly bored, but the subject matter is horrific, and the film drenched in an atmospheric bleakness. It is quiet and contemplative, but as it progresses, the visuals and unpleasantness escalates to its inevitable tragedy. The main character’s performance is mesmerizing, and the film, especially the final shot, will certainly linger far beyond the film’s runtime.
B+