Hagazussa

Written and directed by lukas feigelfeld

Rating: 🏆 most excellent

Albrun (Celina Peter) has been dealt a rough hand. She is orphaned at a young age, and the community that ostracized her mother for being a witch treats her with the same isolating hostility. It’s the 15th century, so life expectancy is low and days are spent wrestling with nature to survive. Albrun, her goats, and her daughter find refuge in their homestead that looms over the village below. The majestic mountains and forests that surround her are hauntingly beautiful and you get the sense that she’s much closer to the land than she is to any other humans. But this is not a kind moment in time to be a single woman with a different way of life. 

Hagazussa is a slow burn that allows you to feel all of Albrun’s pains and discomforts. While it’s a horror film, it’s more disturbing than scary. It is a strange movie and definitely is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re a deep thinker who enjoys swimming in an abyss of symbolism and philosophical themes, this is a movie for you. If you’re wondering “where can I watch Hagazussa?” you can get witchy and watch Hagazussa now. It’s available to rent on Prime Video and it’s also free on Kanopy. If you are a university student, or have a public library card, you should have free access to Kanopy! 

If you want a more comprehensive review (with spoilers) I had the honor of going on Horror Movies With Friends with Andy Greene, a wonderful month full of horror movies to raise money for The Trevor Project.