Baghead (2023)

Alberto Corredor’s Baghead explores the unsettling world of a young woman grappling with loss and the supernatural forces that emerge from her shattered life. Iris (Freya Allan), a grief-stricken college dropout, inherits a remote, dilapidated pub from her estranged father. As she settles into her unexpected new life, she discovers a haunting entity living in the pub’s cellar—Baghead. This creature, who wears a sack over its head, apparently possesses the ability to communicate with the dead.

Fear, hopelessness, and the attraction of the unknown are all explored chillingly in Baghead. The movie unfolds at a measured pace, steadily building tension as Iris’s fascination with the entity grows. Allan gives a complex performance, bringing to life the intensity of Iris’s vulnerability and her pent-up desperation. While the film does a great job of setting a general atmosphere of unease, it falls short at times when it uses tired horror clichés, which detracts from the overall effect.

The unsettling atmosphere is masterfully crafted. Corredor’s direction, coupled with Cale Finot’s shadowy cinematography, creates a world dripping in gloom and lurking danger. Sparse lighting and the use of natural sounds amplify the eerie silence of the isolated pub. The design of Baghead itself is chillingly simple yet disturbingly effective. The movie’s chilling score accentuates the mounting tension, contributing to a pervasive sense of dread.

While Baghead falters slightly in its somewhat predictable plot developments, it offers a poignant exploration of grief’s consuming power. As she struggles with feelings of loss and isolation, Iris finds a strange comfort in her growing bond with the afterlife. The film subtly critiques the human tendency to seek answers and closure, even in the most unorthodox and potentially perilous ways. If you watch carefully, you will also see there is a powerful theme about the oppression of women by men throughout history running through the story. I won’t comment on this further, so I avoid plot spoilers. But keep an eye out for it.

Although Baghead doesn’t break entirely new ground within the horror genre, it delivers an effectively creepy and emotionally resonant viewing experience. Baghead’s modest budget is obvious in some of its special effects, which occasionally come across as a bit cheap. But it overcomes these limitations with its unsettling atmosphere, exploration of raw human emotions, and Freya Allan’s compelling performance. 

Baghead is a worthwhile watch if you are a horror fan seeking a slow-burn chiller with a touch of emotional depth along with its unsettling atmosphere, exploration of grief, and moments of genuine fright. If you have enjoyed films like The Babadook or Hereditary, with their focus on psychological horror and the devastating impact of loss, you’ll likely find something to appreciate in Baghead. 

(In cinemas — check your local movie guide for show times.)