Matt Sobel, Director of 2014’s acclaimed Goodnight Mommy, surely felt the heat to produce an equally impactful piece of cinema. Thankfully, The Devil’s Bath fits the bill. The psychological thriller functions equally as a horror, not because of any supernatural or gory elements, but because of the suffocating feeling of dread induced during the movie’s 120 minutes runtime. Set in 1750s Austria, the film shines a light on a disturbing yet seldom talked about time in history when women – afraid of eternal damnation from suicide – would commit murder in order to repent to a priest before their execution.

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Anja Plaschg plays Agnes, a young bride whose dreams of motherhood are dashed after her new husband Wolf (David Scheid) refuses to consummate the relationship. Agnes, bound by her religious convictions and subservience to the patriarchy, can do nothing to address the situation and instead sinks into a deep depression.

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On paper, Agnes is dealing with a lot of the same nagging issues new brides historically face. She has an overbearing and unpleasant mother-in-law (Maria Hoffstatter), as well as a deep-seeded determination to fulfill her wifely duties. Add to this the fact that it’s taking place in the young couple’s two-room log cabin that feels dark and stifling, and you’ve got a recipe for cinematic unease. Plaschg’s quietly expressive face is a tremendous asset for a character whose suffering needs to be done discreetly, at least until the physical toll of her depression becomes impossible to ignore.

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The Devil’s Bath is an important movie that spotlights issues that are still prevalent today. Women are expected to put on a brave face under the weight of even the most severe mental health struggles. It’s also a damning persecution of religion and the lengths people will go to maintain a righteous standing in the church. Even if, ironically, it means committing the ultimate sin to do it. Violence against children is a main theme and one third-act scene is especially difficult to watch; a testament to not only the young boy’s acting ability but the sheer horror of what Agnes willing to do to end her suffering. Dark, sobering, and deeply contemplative, The Devil’s Bath is a must-see film that lifts the veil off a sinister time in modern history.