119 reviews
Ok maybe i'm way off on this one. But i went into this movie blind and knowing absolutely nothing about it, and came out liking it more than the people who took me to see it and were looking forward to it.
I mean its not a perfect movie, and it did have a couple of lame familiar moments. But overall it tried it hardest to be different and avoid the same old thing we've seen time and again. It had a decent plot with a couple of twists, and good acting. But is a mild horror really. So won't keep all fans of the genre happy.
Its a strange one as there's nothing terribly old but nothing amazingly new in the movie. But i'd say its worth a one of watch. Even if my friends would say it isn't.
I mean its not a perfect movie, and it did have a couple of lame familiar moments. But overall it tried it hardest to be different and avoid the same old thing we've seen time and again. It had a decent plot with a couple of twists, and good acting. But is a mild horror really. So won't keep all fans of the genre happy.
Its a strange one as there's nothing terribly old but nothing amazingly new in the movie. But i'd say its worth a one of watch. Even if my friends would say it isn't.
- martinrobertson300482
- Jan 29, 2024
- Permalink
Shame. I really wanted to enjoy it more.
Intriguing premise. A creature that can bring the dead for 2 minutes! And only 2 or it will take control (But doesn't that sound familiar? Talk to Me, anyone?)
Freya Allan (The Witcher) did her best as did the supporting cast, featuring the likes of Peter Mullan (Tyrannosaur) and Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea).
Unfortunately the film lacked any real tension or suspense and despite its surprisingly short length, it felt like a real slog. Relieved by a few jump scares.
I just wish more time was spent on the origin of the creature and character depth to actually feel anything.
It just seemed to go through the motions with the same ol' predictable hokum and some bizarre 2000s visual effects from The Mummy films.
A shame. It killed the time but it won't be haunting my memories for long.
Intriguing premise. A creature that can bring the dead for 2 minutes! And only 2 or it will take control (But doesn't that sound familiar? Talk to Me, anyone?)
Freya Allan (The Witcher) did her best as did the supporting cast, featuring the likes of Peter Mullan (Tyrannosaur) and Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea).
Unfortunately the film lacked any real tension or suspense and despite its surprisingly short length, it felt like a real slog. Relieved by a few jump scares.
I just wish more time was spent on the origin of the creature and character depth to actually feel anything.
It just seemed to go through the motions with the same ol' predictable hokum and some bizarre 2000s visual effects from The Mummy films.
A shame. It killed the time but it won't be haunting my memories for long.
Ok first some praise: Freya Allan is a talented young actress. Unfortunately she's the only good thing in the movie.
I love a good horror film in fact I love plenty of horror films that many people consider bad but sadly this won was below the level of quality to even be entertaining.
It's a shame because the concept itself could have been interesting. Having the ability to bring someone back from the dead but only for a brief time is a good idea and could have been used to great effect Especially if the downside of this lead to being haunted by a Grudge style entity etc.
The plot just wastes its own concept with one boring character and very few different people are even brought back from the dead at all. What we get are endless repetitive scenes of the shapeshifter jumping out with a loud noise.
The best friend is a pointless tedious character that serves no purpose at all.
I guess the first 20 minutes were reasonable but after that it runs out of steam and never provides even one genuinely scary moment.
I love a good horror film in fact I love plenty of horror films that many people consider bad but sadly this won was below the level of quality to even be entertaining.
It's a shame because the concept itself could have been interesting. Having the ability to bring someone back from the dead but only for a brief time is a good idea and could have been used to great effect Especially if the downside of this lead to being haunted by a Grudge style entity etc.
The plot just wastes its own concept with one boring character and very few different people are even brought back from the dead at all. What we get are endless repetitive scenes of the shapeshifter jumping out with a loud noise.
The best friend is a pointless tedious character that serves no purpose at all.
I guess the first 20 minutes were reasonable but after that it runs out of steam and never provides even one genuinely scary moment.
- skyemaidstone-13120
- Feb 2, 2024
- Permalink
To get this out of the way... there are obvious parallels between this film and Talk to Me that are going to be drawn, but to be fair I think we have to keep in mind that they came out less than nine months apart from each other on opposite sides of the world... so the likelihood of one being influenced by the other is slim to none.
I seem to be far more impressed and entertained by this movie than the majority of the reviews thus far. I am also quite biased to a sub genre of Gothic horror and anything magic. I thought the concept here was really intriguing, entertaining and exciting. They also melded said concept into a storyline that made sense and was cohesive.
While the movie as a whole wasn't particularly scary, there was definitely something to be said for the consistent feeling of dread it cultivated. I also thought this was quite successful aesthetically. Again, while not particularly scary it was most definitely creepy and I think the main players in that were the way the sets were, its general atmospheric nature, and while simple, I also quite liked the look of the witch. The acting was also quite solid from the whole cast. Nothing extraordinary but no one stuck out negatively to me.
I did start to get somewhat of a silly/hokey vibe around what felt like the beginning of the third act, but that seemed to fade away towards the end. I found the ending, if not semi predictable, still clever and satisfying. If anything, I would've just loved a little bit more to the lore. There were definitely some loose ends that I would have loved a little more elaboration on.
I have been anticipating this release for quite a few months and was personally not disappointed. For most, this may land closer to a 6... however due to my prior proclivities I am going with a 6.5 rounding up to a 7. Would recommend.
I seem to be far more impressed and entertained by this movie than the majority of the reviews thus far. I am also quite biased to a sub genre of Gothic horror and anything magic. I thought the concept here was really intriguing, entertaining and exciting. They also melded said concept into a storyline that made sense and was cohesive.
While the movie as a whole wasn't particularly scary, there was definitely something to be said for the consistent feeling of dread it cultivated. I also thought this was quite successful aesthetically. Again, while not particularly scary it was most definitely creepy and I think the main players in that were the way the sets were, its general atmospheric nature, and while simple, I also quite liked the look of the witch. The acting was also quite solid from the whole cast. Nothing extraordinary but no one stuck out negatively to me.
I did start to get somewhat of a silly/hokey vibe around what felt like the beginning of the third act, but that seemed to fade away towards the end. I found the ending, if not semi predictable, still clever and satisfying. If anything, I would've just loved a little bit more to the lore. There were definitely some loose ends that I would have loved a little more elaboration on.
I have been anticipating this release for quite a few months and was personally not disappointed. For most, this may land closer to a 6... however due to my prior proclivities I am going with a 6.5 rounding up to a 7. Would recommend.
- Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews
- Apr 4, 2024
- Permalink
This film left me feeling incredibly disappointed. While the first and last parts managed to capture my attention, the middle section was a tedious experience that left me reaching for my phone to alleviate my boredom. One of the main issues with the film is its lack of creativity and a compelling plot. While it attempts to tell a unique story, it ultimately falls flat, feeling simplistic and uninteresting. One aspect that the film did manage to get right was its visual effects and jumpscares. There were moments that genuinely frightened me, and the visual elements were well-executed. However, these scares alone couldn't compensate for the film's weak storyline. It felt as though the filmmakers relied too heavily on these elements without giving enough attention to crafting a solid and engaging narrative. On a positive note, the cast delivered commendable performances. Despite the film's shortcomings, the actors managed to bring their characters to life with fabulous acting. Their dedication and talent were evident throughout, and they did the best they could with the material they were given. It's unfortunate that their efforts weren't supported by a stronger script and a more captivating storyline. If you're looking for a movie to watch purely for entertainment purposes, I would suggest giving this film a chance and forming your own opinion. It's possible that others may find aspects of it more enjoyable than I did. However, if you're seeking a horror film that offers a worthwhile investment of your time and money, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
- sherken-97640
- Feb 29, 2024
- Permalink
Well, the premise certainly is original, there's a seriously creepy atmosphere, the colossal ancient building and the cellar give an almost gothic feel, and Freya Allan and Jeremy Irvine both do a fine job. And the CGI of the bag-person (witch or demon or whatever) in her various horrifying appearances is very well done. But I had also some reservations. The sound-bursts to accompany the intended jump scares were almost deafening, I left the cinema with my ears popping. And at times the logic behind the use of the bag-headed lady eluded me, like the two-minute rule that constantly got violated without immediate consequences, or the strict rule never to enter the hole in the brick wall, but Iris did so unharmed. Or why couldn't she simply sell the house so that the curse would fall on a new owner, surely real estate investors would have jumped on the occasion!
Resuming: not bad at all, but with some flaws.
Resuming: not bad at all, but with some flaws.
- johannes2000-1
- Mar 21, 2024
- Permalink
Those who reckon that Night Swim is the worst horror film to come out this January, think again: Baghead is much worse, feeling like a bad mash-up of Barbarian and Talk To Me (but far less accomplished than either), the story revolving around a mysterious woman with a bag on her head, who lurks behind the wall in the basement of a pub and who has the ability to allow people to talk to the dead for two minutes. Freya Allan plays Iris, who inherits the pub and discovers its dark secret.
Directed by Alberto Corredor, based on his short film of the same name, Baghead is bland, forgettable tosh that makes very little sense if thought about for more than a few seconds. A pub with a witch that allows the living to communicate with the dead, and somehow this hasn't made international headlines - utter nonsense! Perhaps if there was a sense of fun to the whole thing, or Freya Allen's character was likeable, or - God forbid - they made this an 18 certificate with bags of gore instead of a tame movie aimed at teens that relies on (mostly ineffective) jump scares, I might have had something good to say about it. But I don't.
2.5/10, rounded up to 3 for IMDb.
Directed by Alberto Corredor, based on his short film of the same name, Baghead is bland, forgettable tosh that makes very little sense if thought about for more than a few seconds. A pub with a witch that allows the living to communicate with the dead, and somehow this hasn't made international headlines - utter nonsense! Perhaps if there was a sense of fun to the whole thing, or Freya Allen's character was likeable, or - God forbid - they made this an 18 certificate with bags of gore instead of a tame movie aimed at teens that relies on (mostly ineffective) jump scares, I might have had something good to say about it. But I don't.
2.5/10, rounded up to 3 for IMDb.
- BA_Harrison
- Jan 27, 2024
- Permalink
Giving this an 7/10 rating
Clever and grim, horror film is set in just one location, a very slim cast and this means getting to the point with no messing about. A college drop out has to take over a ancient pub from her father who has died, but the pub has a secret with it, and evil with it.
Like 'Night Swim', this is based on a short movie. Guess this a real trend now, which is fine, so long as they are good. It's very fast and simply done, with good production design that you have to pay close attention too.
The cast of Freya Allan, Ruby Barker, Jeremy Irvine and the great Peter Mullan and Saffron Burrows are tormented good, Anne Muller is excellent as the 'Baghead' in question. Humans are shown as real scumbags as they all are in this, and this is important for the narrative.
Never thought Peter Mulanwould do a horror film, but he is very good in this, plays with his role with the authority he needs, look forward to more from Freya Allan, she displays proper emotion, given the role she must work in, A simple enough horror film, it's fine film fun, but really scary all out.
Clever and grim, horror film is set in just one location, a very slim cast and this means getting to the point with no messing about. A college drop out has to take over a ancient pub from her father who has died, but the pub has a secret with it, and evil with it.
Like 'Night Swim', this is based on a short movie. Guess this a real trend now, which is fine, so long as they are good. It's very fast and simply done, with good production design that you have to pay close attention too.
The cast of Freya Allan, Ruby Barker, Jeremy Irvine and the great Peter Mullan and Saffron Burrows are tormented good, Anne Muller is excellent as the 'Baghead' in question. Humans are shown as real scumbags as they all are in this, and this is important for the narrative.
Never thought Peter Mulanwould do a horror film, but he is very good in this, plays with his role with the authority he needs, look forward to more from Freya Allan, she displays proper emotion, given the role she must work in, A simple enough horror film, it's fine film fun, but really scary all out.
- donmurray29
- Jan 28, 2024
- Permalink
This had bags of potential (no pun intended) but it just wasn't used. The script and idea is good but there is just not enough scare points scored with this. It is eerie in parts and the heartful backnotes of seeing your loved ones again after death makes this movie watchable but it is just not enough to rate over a 5 out of 10 score. Howecer I don't think you can blame this entirely on the director or the writers, this needed a bigger budget and really with that cash injection this would have been a great watch on par with the conjurning movies. Just fell short unfortunatley, which is a shame.
- nickybk-98095
- Feb 16, 2024
- Permalink
Sometimes the bad reviews can be misleading. I really enjoyed watching this one and ill definitely watch it again. The plot was something new i've never seen before which is rare for a horror movie these days. The plot was good, the script was good, the acting was good, the cast was good. 7/10 for the cgi, it was better than i expected. The ending was pretty good and unexpected too and the ending set up a potential sequel. Which i would love to see. Even tho the movie didn't recieve good enough score for a second one i really hope we have it. It's not the scariest but it does have you on the edge of your seat in some bits.
Baghead was such a decent horror movie for rodays standards. The storyline had me was good from start to finish. Horrors can be so fake and predictable and some storylines are so played out, but this storyline had a different spin. It was unique and the acting was surprisingly good, not too cringey or overacted. The ending did feel a bit rushed, but it could have been worse. It actually left me wanting more and hoping for a sequel, and there ia definitely potential with the way it ended. Overall I had a blast watching Baghead and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good suspenseful horror flick.
Baghead is a very safe horror film in that it follows a tried and tested formula and doesn't take too many risks. As a result, it feels quite bland and uninspiring, and will be unlikely to give you more than a jump scare or two.
This is a shame as I think the premise certainly has legs. It revolves around Iris, who inherits a pub from her estranged father only to discover a strange entity who lives in the basement and has the ability to contact the dead.
It's definitely not a bad set up but it just isn't really pushed enough. There's a halfhearted attempt to explain the backstory to this entity but it isn't really followed through with and becomes nonsensical with certain elements. There's an issue with pacing as it gets bogged down in certain parts. Perhaps the most annoying part of this film is how ridiculously stupid all of the characters are. I appreciate that some character stupidity is necessary in order to lubricate the plot, but this one just takes the biscuit and it makes for a tiresome and frustrating film.
On top of all this it just doesn't really deliver any horror. I do think the atmosphere and the setting is good, but horror and suspense just isn't in the bones of this film. It was all very superficially created through jump scares. I also don't think it helped that visually this film was very dark, with atrocious lighting throughout that became a real distraction.
So if you fancy a pretty generic, unoffensive horror that will give you a jump or two then Baghead will deliver on that. If you're after something more then look elsewhere.
This is a shame as I think the premise certainly has legs. It revolves around Iris, who inherits a pub from her estranged father only to discover a strange entity who lives in the basement and has the ability to contact the dead.
It's definitely not a bad set up but it just isn't really pushed enough. There's a halfhearted attempt to explain the backstory to this entity but it isn't really followed through with and becomes nonsensical with certain elements. There's an issue with pacing as it gets bogged down in certain parts. Perhaps the most annoying part of this film is how ridiculously stupid all of the characters are. I appreciate that some character stupidity is necessary in order to lubricate the plot, but this one just takes the biscuit and it makes for a tiresome and frustrating film.
On top of all this it just doesn't really deliver any horror. I do think the atmosphere and the setting is good, but horror and suspense just isn't in the bones of this film. It was all very superficially created through jump scares. I also don't think it helped that visually this film was very dark, with atrocious lighting throughout that became a real distraction.
So if you fancy a pretty generic, unoffensive horror that will give you a jump or two then Baghead will deliver on that. If you're after something more then look elsewhere.
- ethanbresnett
- Jan 27, 2024
- Permalink
- FlashCallahan
- Feb 4, 2024
- Permalink
- wladahouse
- Apr 13, 2024
- Permalink
- jordanbrad
- Jan 30, 2024
- Permalink
- PANDIAN120621
- Apr 5, 2024
- Permalink
Well this film certainly starts out strongly (despite some cheapish special effects).
It has a brilliant novel idea but that soon gives way to some really awful story decisions and ventures then into attempts at jump scares (not that I'm usually against those) and gross out scenes that have been done so so many times and better before.
The acting is pretty lacklustre.
It's confusing to me why these characters aren't in absolute terror from the first time they see what emerges from the wall in the basement.
The middle of the movie sags badly with poor pacing.
Which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so poorly executed.
Terrible script and unconvincing acting.
The ending is so obvious as well. I don't like being that person who says they saw it coming, but this time it was pretty easy to work out.
There's a high class film in here somewhere but unfortunately it seems they missed the chance by going for silly scares instead of taking a more subtle and creepy route.
It has a brilliant novel idea but that soon gives way to some really awful story decisions and ventures then into attempts at jump scares (not that I'm usually against those) and gross out scenes that have been done so so many times and better before.
The acting is pretty lacklustre.
It's confusing to me why these characters aren't in absolute terror from the first time they see what emerges from the wall in the basement.
The middle of the movie sags badly with poor pacing.
Which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so poorly executed.
Terrible script and unconvincing acting.
The ending is so obvious as well. I don't like being that person who says they saw it coming, but this time it was pretty easy to work out.
There's a high class film in here somewhere but unfortunately it seems they missed the chance by going for silly scares instead of taking a more subtle and creepy route.
- sgildea-78306
- Apr 5, 2024
- Permalink
Baghead was not the scariest film of this year, but it is very underrated horror film, this film was made last year and decided to release this film one year later, what took them so long, it's like OUT OF DARKNESS that was released in film festivals of 2022 and did not get a theatrical release date till two years later, is like why can't they release both of these films in 2023 at the same time. Stupid and Revoking. Anyway, Baghead did impress me with good amount of scares, the main lead (Iris) was the owner after her father died from burning him alive by her wife/mother of Iris. Katie was probably annoyed way too much and wanted her to die, thankfully she did. Neil and the Witcher did not go as planned so Iris is still the owner and Neil wasn't. But in conclusion; Baghead was good and did have a significant impact on Iris herself on how she is still the owner after the ending conclusion. You get approximately two minutes, after two minutes then hell breaks loss.
- kmkevinn-64733
- Apr 4, 2024
- Permalink
- zandertshcs
- Apr 5, 2024
- Permalink
Baghead: Iris (Freya Allan) is on her uppers, evicted from her flat in London, dependent on her ever helpful friend Katie (Rubie Baker) so when her estranged father (Peter Mullan) dies and leaves her a pub in Berlin it seems her problems are solved. An over-helpful creepy lawyer (Ned Dennehy) offers to sell the pub for her but she insists on putting her name on the deeds. This is a different kind of tied house as we see her father confronting a strange tenant in the basement, a woman with a bag over her head and battling with her. Iris has already met Neil (Jeremy Irvine) who lets her know that the entity in the basement, Baghead (Anne Müller), can contact the dead. Now Iris is a bit of a hustler and cannot resist Neil's offer of £4,000 to get to speak to his dead wife. Baghead though has rules, while she must obey Iris now, she gains extra power if the conversation with the dead goes on for more than two minutes. She also adopts the countenance of the dead person when allowing them to speak, But like all demons Baghead is tricky and is often an unreliable narrator. Some good jump scares and a suitably crumbly dank basement. What's really important here are the rituals involved, make a mistake and your life may be forfeit. Indeed aspects of the story suggest a meta-ritual may have been at play for much of the narrative. The number of Baghead's victims increase and gore flows as we learn more about her back history and that of the pub. Good acting by Allan and Mullan (much of his performance in flashbacks and on a video recording)., with a rather frenzied performance by Irvine. Directed by Alberto Corredo, written by Lorcan Reilly. And it's not a ripoff of Talk To Me; Baghead is based on Reilly and Corredor's original 2017 short film of the same name. 7.5/10,
- DoNotComeToTheCinemaDepressed
- Jan 31, 2024
- Permalink
10, maybe 15 years ago this movie would have been a good horror for the time. Today's horror scene needs smarter protagonists that won't walk into a dark corner because they here something unusual, and yet this film had no characters worth engaging with. The villian could have been interesting if we had a more Frankenstein-esque monster to fear but also sympathise, something teased early on but never came back we the movie dragged.
The writing didn't do anything to make it more engaging, either. Horror shorts tend to provide really powerful premises for a film to expand, yet this felt like another failed adaptation where they cut corners and took a lazy approach because they outsourced the premise.
This movie needed better characters to be good, and better writing to be great.
The writing didn't do anything to make it more engaging, either. Horror shorts tend to provide really powerful premises for a film to expand, yet this felt like another failed adaptation where they cut corners and took a lazy approach because they outsourced the premise.
This movie needed better characters to be good, and better writing to be great.
- TheWillo13
- Apr 13, 2024
- Permalink
In London, Iris Lark (Freya Allan) is an unemployed young woman without any possession and evicted from her room. Her best friend, Katie (Ruby Barker), supports her and offers Iris to stay with her. Out of the blue, Iris receives a phone call informing that her estranged father, Owen Lark (Peter Mullan), has died and asking her to identify his body. Iris travels to Berlin, where her father lived, and the lawyer tells her that she has inherited a four-hundred-year-old bar and offers to sell the estate. However, Iris asks to stay for a period in the building and signs the deed. She calls Katie and her friend decides to travel to Berlin to meet her. During the night, a man, Neil (Jeremy Irvine) asks to see the creature that lives in the basement and offers 4,000 Euros to Iris. She tells him that she does not have the key but schedules his visit on the next night. Katie arrives and they go with Neil to the basement. They meet Baghead (Anne Müller), a witch that is capable to summon the dead and shapeshift her appearance for two minutes, provided the consultant brings some object that belonged to the deceased. She only obeys the owner of the bar, Iris presently. Neil brings a ring that belonged to his estranged mother before belonging to his wife Sarah (Svenja Jung) and his mother comes instead. He says that he committed a mistake and offers another 4,000 Euros to Iris to meet Baghead again. Iris finds a videotape from her father warning how dangerous Baghead is and to not use her powers, but the money tempts Iris, and she continues to see Baghead despite the warning received.
"Baghead" (2023) is a horror movie that deserves to be watched. The creepy story is original and the only problem, in my point of view, is the lack of charisma of Iris and Neil. Katie is the only character that the viewer may connect and feel sorry for her. Iris is warned by her father to the danger that she is exposed but is more interested in money. The viewer sees that she is poor but risking her life to raise money is not an intelligent procedure. The conclusion indicates a possible sequel, with Baghead outside the basement. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "A Bruxa dos Mortos: Baghead" ("The Witch of the Dead: Baghead")
"Baghead" (2023) is a horror movie that deserves to be watched. The creepy story is original and the only problem, in my point of view, is the lack of charisma of Iris and Neil. Katie is the only character that the viewer may connect and feel sorry for her. Iris is warned by her father to the danger that she is exposed but is more interested in money. The viewer sees that she is poor but risking her life to raise money is not an intelligent procedure. The conclusion indicates a possible sequel, with Baghead outside the basement. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "A Bruxa dos Mortos: Baghead" ("The Witch of the Dead: Baghead")
- claudio_carvalho
- Jul 9, 2024
- Permalink