Baghead: a Mark Kermode horror film review (video).
Our man-of-many movies, Mark Kermode, is bravely here again to enter the world of Baghead, where the horror isn’t just in the drinks served at a run-down pub, but in its very basement. Baghead, set to chill UK theatres this Friday, January 26th 2024, stars Freya Allan, who seems to have found a niche in the magical and monstrous after her stint on Netflix’s The Witcher. In this eerie flick, Allan’s character finds herself dealing with more than just the usual pub shenanigans – she’s got a shape-shifting entity in the basement that could give the most seasoned bartender nightmares.
Directed by Alberto Corredor and penned by Christina Pamies and Bryce McGuire, Baghead expands on Corredor’s 2017 short film. The story unfolds in Berlin, where Iris (played by Allan) inherits an ancient pub from her estranged father. But this is no ordinary pub – it harbors a 400-year-old she-devil known as “Baghead.” This creature can conjure the dead for a two-minute chat, but break the time limit, and you’ll unleash spirits into the world. Talk about a strict last call policy!
The film also stars Jeremy Irvine, who plays Neil, a grief-stricken man offering wads of cash for a final chat with his deceased wife. When things go awry (because of course, they do), the film veers into a whirlwind of cliched horror tropes, including the obligatory demonic black eyes and voices that make Daleks sound like choirboys.
Baghead‘s setting in Berlin, thanks to some European co-production funding, adds an odd twist to the tale. Iris inherits this Scottish-style pub, complete with an English name, in the middle of Berlin. It’s like walking into a Scottish pub in Berlin and finding they only serve sushi – confusing and slightly off-putting. But let’s not forget about the creature herself. Baghead, with her simple yet terrifying sack-covered visage, is set to join the ranks of horror icons. She’s like the boogeyman, but with a preference for burlap.
The plot thickens as Iris, against her better judgment and the advice of her best friend Katie (Ruby Barker), decides to exploit Baghead’s powers. As she delves deeper into the mystery and her father’s past, Iris uncovers secrets that are as dark as the pub’s dingiest corner. As readers of SFcrowsnest know, a horror movie’s success often hinges on its lead, and Allan doesn’t disappoint. She brings a gritty edge to Iris, proving that she can handle more than just sword-wielding witches. While Baghead might tread familiar ground for horror aficionados, it still holds its own with a gripping narrative and a fresh take on grief and the supernatural. The film is poised to become more than just a one-off scarefest; it has the potential to become a horror franchise.
