Requiem is a psychological horror movie that is loosely based on the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, a German woman who died in 1976 after undergoing an exorcism. The movie follows Michaela, a young woman from a devout Roman Catholic family in Germany, who suffers from epilepsy and begins to experience strange and disturbing hallucinations after she stops taking her medication.
The film explores themes of faith, mental illness, and the power of suggestion, as Michaela's family and the local clergy become convinced that she is possessed by demons. Despite Michaela's protests that she is not possessed, she is subjected to a series of brutal exorcisms that exacerbate her physical and mental state.
Throughout the movie, Michaela struggles with her own beliefs, questioning whether her experiences are the result of her epilepsy, her medication withdrawal, or something supernatural. She also faces pressure from her family and the church to conform to traditional gender roles and relinquish her aspirations to become an educator.
Requiem is a haunting and thought-provoking film that explores the psychological toll of religious fanaticism and the danger of mistaking mental illness for demonic possession. The movie is anchored by a powerful performance from Sandra Hüller, who portrays Michaela with nuance and empathy.