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Agony is a 2016 horror film that follows a group of travelers as they venture deep into the European woods in search of a fabled village. The journey takes a hair-raising turn when the group realizes that they have stumbled into the realm of the supernatural. The movie opens with an ancient pagan ritual in the woods, as several darkly cloaked figures perform a ritualistic sacrifice with a young woman bound and gagged at the center. The camera then cuts to a young man named Roman (Samuel Schneider) who wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He is soon visited by his friend who reveals that the two of them had been traveling with a group of people in search of a lost village in the woods, but something went terribly wrong.

The group is a jumbled bunch of travelers, including the attractive blond Hana (Alexandra Schmidt) and her brooding love interest Viktor (Alexander Srtschin), who are both keen to make the journey through the woods together. Also in the mix are an elderly couple, an intellectual and his girlfriend, and a group of stoners.

As the group sets off into the woods, they quickly become lost and disoriented. They encounter strange occurrences, including eerie music, whispers in the wind, and a strange fog that clouds their vision. As night falls, they stumble upon a pagan temple in the middle of the woods and decide to take refuge inside.

The temple proves to be less of a safe haven and more of a gateway to hell as they are attacked by grotesque and demonic hallucinations. The group begins to turn on one other with accusations and rash decisions that lead to further chaos. Their journey becomes a fight for survival as the ancient powers of the forest threaten to consume them all.

Agony is a prime example of a slow-burn horror film, with the tension building gradually throughout the movie. Director David Clay Diaz creates a sense of unease that lingers throughout, thanks in part to the excellent sound design and eerie music. The visuals are suitably creepy, with plenty of shadowy corners and grotesque imagery that will have viewers on edge.

The acting is also strong, with the largely unknown cast doing an admirable job of portraying characters whose actions are driven by fear and panic. The standout performances come from Samuel Schneider, who manages to convey a sense of desperation and confusion as Roman, and Alexandra Schmidt, whose character Hana evolves from an innocent traveler to a courageous survivor.

The plot itself is not particularly original - a group of travelers lost in the woods is a classic horror trope - but Agony takes some unexpected turns that keep the story engaging. The pagan mythology is also a nice touch, adding a layer of mysticism that elevates the horror elements beyond mere jump scares and gore.

The film's pacing may be too slow for some horror fans, and the ambiguous ending may leave some viewers frustrated. However, for those who are willing to be patient and allow the film to build its atmosphere, Agony is a satisfyingly creepy addition to the horror genre.

In summary, Agony is a slow-burn horror film that builds its tension gradually with strong performances from its cast and eerie visuals. The pagan mythology adds a layer of mysticism to the story, while the slow pacing may not be to everyone's taste. Despite its flaws, Agony is a satisfyingly creepy addition to the horror genre.

Agony is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.