Daddy's Head

This movie starts with a good premise and really builds the tension. I think the two leads here are doing some great work here. I really loved that we saw less of the creature - that really built the suspense of what is it. The ending felt rushed and motivations of the characters seemed off. I think there was a lot of unanswered questions about what the creature was and why now. What did it want? The location and camera work really save this film. Overall I was creeped out and invested the entire time. I think if you're looking for a decent horror film with the spooky atmosphere you should check this one out.

By the halfway point, this film had done little to captivate. Pushed through hoping for more, but apart from the slightest case of the creeps there was nothing.

Pros: The concept. Creepy monster adopts the face of a recently deceased loved one to lure relatives to its lair. Potential for days.

Creature design (barely). Unfortunately, we're given barely a glimpse of the thing, which is a pity because it's the best thing about this film.

Cons: The acting. From underacted to overacted to downright wooden, none of the performances did anything to hold my attention.

The characters. No redeeming factors, nothing to elicit sympathy. Two dimensional. The predominant feeling is one of dislike. When you don't care if the characters live or die, what's the point of watching any more?

The monster. What is it? Where does it come from? What does it want? In the end, I was only holding on for answers to these questions, and I got nothing.

The pacing. Paint dries quicker.

I get the sense they were trying for some grand metaphor, but overall it fell pretty short. After everything, the ending feels pointless.

Disappointing.

Laura (Julia Brown) inherits a house in the middle of the woods from her late husband. Her young stepson Isaac refuses to talk to her. Her husband insisted on being buried with his previous wife on the property. They find an unusual wooden structure in the woods.

I like the isolation and the brooding moodiness. It starts with a good concept. There is good potential for a horror thriller. They could do more with the guardianship. They could also do more with the woods. If he gets lost in the woods overnight, the threat of losing guardianship could rise. In the end, the movie doesn't push beyond a few good ideas and the general spooky vibes.

At first, I was a bit skeptical about this movie because the first 25 minutes were not particularly entertaining. It didn't give me much to work with, and the characters were not very interesting. The drama also didn't hit as hard, as we've seen movies with tragic deaths of loved ones a million times before. However, after the first encounter with the threat that Isaac-and especially Laura-have to deal with throughout the movie, I was hooked. Every time this entity appeared on screen, I was mesmerized by its design and movement. It felt like something new, not the typical evil you see in every third horror movie nowadays.

As the relationship between Laura and Isaac escalated, the drama worked more for me. Imagining the grief and pain that come after the death of a loved one under these circumstances was harrowing. The movie also has some really interesting visuals that look unique and engaging. The acting was decent, though nothing extraordinary, but Rupert Turnbull definitely succeeded in making me very annoyed with his portrayal of a grieving Isaac.

In the end, I had a rather good time watching this, and even though it's not spectacular, I would recommend giving it a try. [6.1/10]

I recently watched the UK film 🇬🇧 Daddy's Head (2024) on Shudder. The story follows a young man living with his stepmother after the tragic death of his father. As they both struggle to cope with their loss, a strange figure emerges from the woods, claiming to be the boy's father. But what is buried in the woods, and is this really his father?

The film is written and directed by Benjamin Barfoot (Double Date) and stars Julia Brown (Shetland), Rupert Turnbull (Scrooge: A Christmas Carol), Nila Aalia (The Commuter), and Charles Aitken (Happy Death Day).

This film had a lot of potential. The casting and performances were spot on, and the settings, cinematography, and props effectively created a moody, atmospheric backdrop. The psychological struggles of the main characters felt authentic, making their vulnerability palpable. However, despite the buildup, the villain or supernatural presence never fully takes over the film as you'd expect. The best horror elements come from the eerie sound effects of the creature, but even that isn't enough to carry the tension. The ending is especially disappointing, as it leaves you waiting for a climactic moment that never happens.

In conclusion, Daddy's Head has all the ingredients to be a great horror film, but it never quite delivers. I'd rate it a 5/10 and recommend giving it a pass.