The competition for the best international feature at the 2025 Academy Awards has officially started. Ireland and Austria have each chosen their national films, presenting starkly contrasting entries.
Austria’s choice is The Devil’s Bath, a feminist horror film by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, inspired by historical events. Known for their previous work, including the acclaimed Goodnight Mommy (2014) and The Lodge (2019), Franz and Fiala delve into a grim historical narrative with their latest project.
Set in 18th-century rural Austria, the film draws on real accounts of individuals, mainly women, who, fearing eternal damnation if they committed suicide, resorted to murder—often of children—in hopes of seeking absolution before their execution. The Devil’s Bath premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, where it earned a Silver Bear for cinematography.
The Hollywood Reporter praised the film as a “gripping psychological study by directors operating with formidable command.” Shudder secured North American distribution rights before the film’s Berlin debut.
On the other hand, Ireland has chosen Kneecap, a doc-comedy by Rich Peppiatt about Belfast rappers who blend Irish republican politics with humor and drug culture. The film, which premiered at Sundance, features a semi-fictionalized account of the band’s origin, combining Irish Gaelic rap with a blend of politics and humor. Irish Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender makes an appearance in the film. Sony Pictures Classics acquired it for domestic release.
The Hollywood Reporter described Kneecap as “a craic-ing effort,” comparing it to classic films but with a modern twist and lots of humor.
The deadline for Oscar submissions is November 14, 2024, with the shortlist for best international feature announced on December 17. Nominations will be revealed on January 17, 2025, and the Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2025.