Watch Hagazussa

Hagazussa is a 2017 German-language horror film directed by Lukas Feigelfeld. Set in the 15th century in the Austrian Alps, the film tells the story of a young woman named Albrun (played by Aleksandra Cwen) who lives alone in a secluded cabin with her ailing mother. The village people shun her and believe she is cursed because of her mother's perceived witchcraft. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Albrun's descent into madness and isolation is a result of the trauma she has experienced throughout her life.

The film opens with a graphic scene of Albrun's mother dying. Albrun is seen burying her mother and performing an eerie ritual using herbs and other items to preserve her mother's remains. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is a slow-burning horror story that explores themes of isolation, grief, and madness.

The film takes a non-linear approach to storytelling and often jumps back and forth between different time periods in Albrun's life. We see her as a child being tormented by other children who call her a witch and later as a young adult trying to survive on her own in the mountains. Throughout the film, there are eerie visions, hallucinations, and bizarre events that increase in intensity as Albrun's mental state deteriorates.

While there are moments of gore and violence, Hagazussa is not a typical horror film. It is more of a psychological thriller that relies on atmosphere and dread to create a sense of unease. Director Lukas Feigelfeld creates a haunting and ominous visual style, with beautiful natural landscapes and architecture that contrast with the darkness and horror that emerges from the story. The score by MMMD further elevates the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere of the film.

The performances are excellent, especially from Aleksandra Cwen, who conveys Albrun's sense of isolation and anguish throughout the film. Claudia Martini gives a strong supporting performance as Swinda, a mysterious woman who Albrun encounters in the mountains. Celina Peter is also impressive as the young Albrun, bringing a sense of vulnerability to the character.

Hagazussa is a haunting and unsettling film that explores the darkness that exists within us all. It is a challenging film that eschews jump scares and cheap thrills in favor of a slow, meditative pace that allows the audience to immerse themselves in the eerie, foreboding atmosphere. This is a film that is not easily forgotten and is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who dare to enter into Albrun's world.

Hagazussa is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 72.