Entertainment Blog #227 | Baghead [2023] - Talk to the Dead and Pay the Price...

Anything is possible within a film. It's a separate thing from the laws of physics in our world. Filmmakers can play with it until it is interesting, until it crosses that line. A higher budget, a good cast won't make a movie a good movie. It should have a good flow. This movie is an example for that.

"Baghead" is a 2023 horror film directed by Alberto Corredor, based on his 2017 short film of the same name. The screenplay was written by Christina Pamies and Bryce McGuire. The film stars Freya Allan, Ruby Barker, Jeremy Irvine, and Anne Müller. Produced by The Picture Company and executive produced by Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, the movie was released by French film production company Studiocanal.

Talking about the movie, it follows Iris, who lives in London with his friend Katie. Iris had told her that her father had died a long time ago. While she was planning on her higher studies, she received a saying her father had died in an accident.

After clarifying the matter with Katie, borrowing money from her, Iris flew to Berlin to identify her father, and certainly he was, with burnt flesh. Then a man, claiming to be his father's lawyer, reached Iris and told her about an old bar that she had inherited from his father.

While Iris was staying in the bar, a man named Neil came to the bar and offered money to go to the basement to talk to her wife. In order to clarify things, Iris went down with Neil, and that's when Iris was horrified by seeing an old, skinny lady with a bag in her head.

Neil knew some things before because he had done this woo-doo with Iris's father. By giving some object that belongs to the dead, this witch can turn into the figure of the dead person, but this thing can only last for 2 minutes per session. If it exceeds, the witch gains energy from the fear inside the people. But the thing is, neither Neil nor Iris know every rule about this bond between the owner of the bar and this baghead lady.

In the interim, Iris told Katie about this and she also moved to Berlin. Iris needs money, and she can make money out of this woo-doo. But both know that these witchcrafts come with a price. Will they be able to survive? Or will they let the witch out? It's up to you to find out.

"Baghead" received a mixed reception from critics. While some praised its eerie atmosphere and mood, others felt it failed to justify its expansion from a short film, falling into predictable horror tropes and lacking depth in its characters and narrative. Critics highlighted issues such as a flat protagonist, an intrusive soundtrack, and an overreliance on jump scares. Overall, the film was seen as a decent addition to the horror genre, but one that missed the mark in fully capitalizing on its potential.

Overall, the reception to "Baghead" appears to be mixed, with opinions ranging from enjoyment of its atmosphere and story to disappointment in its execution. While some viewers found it to be a fun and scary experience, particularly praising the setting and technology used, others felt let down by its weak storyline, predictability, and lackluster effects. The film's ability to scare varied among audiences, with some feeling underwhelmed by its horror elements. Despite some positive aspects, such as the performances of the main actors, many viewers ultimately felt that "Baghead" did not live up to their expectations, leaving them wanting more from the movie.