Baghead

Baghead

Baghead is a 2023 supernatural horror-thriller directed by Alberto Corredor, expanding upon his own 2017 short film of the same name. The film is anchored by Freya Allan, known for her role in The Witcher, who plays Iris, a young woman drawn into a terrifying legacy when she inherits a crumbling old pub in Berlin after the death of her estranged father. What seems like a worn-down property soon reveals its darkest secret: in the basement resides a mysterious entity known only as Baghead—a shapeshifting creature that can summon the dead, but only for two minutes at a time.

The setup is instantly intriguing. Grieving customers begin to visit Iris, hoping to reconnect with lost loved ones for a brief moment. Among them is Neil, played by Jeremy Irvine, who desperately wants to speak to his deceased wife. As Iris becomes entangled in these emotional reunions, she also uncovers the grim cost of extending those interactions beyond the two-minute limit. The more time Baghead spends in the presence of humans, the more power it gains—and the more dangerous it becomes.

Iris, along with her close friend Katie (played by Ruby Barker), begins to investigate the history of Baghead and the pub itself, uncovering a chilling past filled with possession, madness, and death. Iris is torn between the financial temptation of exploiting Baghead’s power and the growing realization that the creature is a gateway to something far darker than grief or closure.

Freya Allan delivers a strong performance, portraying Iris with a balance of vulnerability and resolve. Her emotional arc carries much of the film’s weight, as she grapples with loss, family secrets, and moral responsibility. Jeremy Irvine and Ruby Barker offer solid support, though their characters don’t always rise above familiar horror archetypes. Nonetheless, the cast's commitment helps ground the supernatural plot in relatable emotion.

Visually, the film succeeds in crafting a brooding, claustrophobic atmosphere. The old pub, dimly lit corridors, and the shadowy basement where Baghead resides all contribute to the film’s oppressive tension. The creature design is one of the highlights—Baghead, with its burlap-covered face and unpredictable form, is both mysterious and menacing. Practical effects and subtle CGI combine to give the entity a visceral, unsettling presence.

While the film has been praised for its mood and central concept, critical reception has been mixed overall. Some viewers found the story intriguing and appreciated the emotional stakes, while others felt the pacing was uneven and the rules surrounding Baghead’s powers were inconsistent or underdeveloped. The two-minute time limit, while initially compelling, sometimes feels like a plot device rather than a naturally integrated rule, leading to frustration in key scenes.

Still, for fans of slow-burn horror with a focus on grief, morality, and folklore-inspired creatures, Baghead offers a fresh take. Its intimate setting, effective lead performance, and thematic depth help it stand out from more formulaic entries in the genre.

In summary, Baghead is a moody, atmospheric horror film that explores loss, temptation, and supernatural danger in equal measure. Though imperfect, it provides an eerie and emotionally charged experience that may resonate with fans of modern psychological horror.