The Trail

2024 Austrian science fiction horror film From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Trail (German: Der Pfad) is a 2024 Austrian science fiction horror film written and directed by Stefan Müller. The film stars Sophia Grabner as a traumatised woman who sets out on a solitary hike in the Alps and encounters an alien threat.[1][3]

Directed byStefan Müller
Screenplay byStefan Müller
Martin Kroissenbrunner
Produced by
  • Oliver Haas
  • Stefan Müller
Starring
  • Sophia Grabner
  • Corinna Pumm
  • Paul Hassler
  • Julia Foidl
  • Stefan Schnuderl
  • Oliver Haas
Quick facts Directed by, Screenplay by ...
The Trail
Der Pfad
Directed byStefan Müller
Screenplay byStefan Müller
Martin Kroissenbrunner
Produced by
  • Oliver Haas
  • Stefan Müller
Starring
  • Sophia Grabner
  • Corinna Pumm
  • Paul Hassler
  • Julia Foidl
  • Stefan Schnuderl
  • Oliver Haas
CinematographyStefan Müller
Edited byStefan Müller
Music byRyan Taubert
Michael Vignola
Production
companies
  • Loom
  • Fly Oli GmbH
Distributed byFly Oli
Release date
  • 24 October 2024 (2024-10-24)
[1][2]
Running time
80 minutes[3][4]
CountryAustria[5]
LanguageGerman[6]
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Plot

After a lengthy hospital stay, Anna hikes alone through a remote mountain landscape to confront her trauma and fears. She notices signs of an unexplained incident in the wilderness, and the trek turns into a fight for survival when an otherworldly presence intrudes on the trail.[2][7]

Cast

  • Sophia Grabner as Anna
  • Corinna Pumm as Sophia's mother
  • Julia Foidl as Sophia
  • Oliver Haas as Sophia's father
  • Paul Hassler as Hiker No. 1
  • Stefan Schnuderl as Stranger[3]

Production

Müller co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Kroissenbrunner and also served as the film's cinematographer and editor.[6] Principal photography took place largely in Styria, including forest and mountain locations.[8]

Release

The Trail opened in Austrian cinemas on 24 October 2024.[1] In September 2025, the Film Commission Graz announced that the film had become available on Amazon Prime Video in over 15 countries.[9]

Reception

In its 2025 VOD review, L’Écran Fantastique judged the film uneven but praised its staging and alpine landscapes, noting its near-silent approach aside from vocalisations and sound effects.[6] Writing for Spielemagazin.de, the reviewer emphasised the film's minimal dialogue and focus on atmosphere and imagery, calling it an unusual Austrian genre entry blending nature observation with science-fiction horror elements.[7]

References

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