MOVIE REVIEW – Once again, a creation emerges on the horizon, daring to infuse new life into the dust-gathering universe of horror films. But does it succeed? The film “Baghead” hints from its title that we’re not in for traditional scares. Nowadays, it’s a formidable challenge for any horror film to maintain its relevance in an era where innovating within the genre seems nearly Herculean.

At the heart of the story is a young woman who becomes the proprietor of an abandoned pub after inheriting it from her estranged father. Upon signing the ownership documents, she encounters an unexpected “tenant” lurking in the cellar of the building.

So Ugly, They Put a Bag Over Its Head

The entity revealed in Baghead is a revived woman, imprisoned in the cellar, who can communicate with the dead. Her unique ability was exploited in the past, but now, having regained her strength, she seeks to unleash herself upon the world, gathering power. A common sin in horror films is the overexposure of the “monster” character. If the titular ghost or demon is revealed within the first ten minutes, its subsequent appearances are likely to elicit less fear.

The power of horror largely relies on the viewer’s imagination, and Baghead navigates this aspect adeptly. The sack over the creature’s head, while seemingly ridiculous at first, adds a layer of mystery to what lies beneath – especially since every time it is removed, we see only the faces of the protagonist’s deceased loved ones, as if “brought back” from the dead.

The details we learn about Baghead – its pale skin, dirty, claw-like nails, and the unsettling noise it makes when swallowing personal items to connect with the dead – all build a compelling desire to see its true face. While it may not rank among the horror greats, Baghead represents a sincere attempt at crafting a somewhat original monster. Clearly, the adaptation of Lorcan Reilly’s short story could not soar to the heights achieved by Danny and Michael Philippou’s “Talk to Me,” yet it stands as a noteworthy effort.

True Horror or Mere Jump Scares?

Regrettably, the film adheres to the genre’s conventional path with its use of scare tactics, often resorting to excess. There are moments when abruptly amplified sound effects fail to evoke genuine terror, instead causing viewers to flinch at the unnecessarily high volume during relatively unimportant scenes. However, this phenomenon is characteristic of most modern horror films that explore narratives of supernatural entities.

In recent years, as horror has become increasingly mainstream, filmmakers face pressure to cater to an audience seeking cheap thrills that make them drop their popcorn or emit a loud scream, often startling other moviegoers more than the actual scare. This isn’t to say that horror fans have always behaved this way, but since the genre’s promotion on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, more young people flock to horror movies like Insidious or The Conjuring series, seemingly creating a demand to reformat these films to attract this specific audience.

Happily Ever After? Not Quite.

What truly captivated me about Baghead’s story was its ending. Without giving away too much, it’s not a “happy” ending, yet there’s something satisfying about it; you find yourself unwittingly rooting for Baghead and the souls of deceased women it embodies, as they step into the world, likely to seek vengeance and sow chaos. Unfortunately, this open-ended conclusion also hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I believe would be a grave misstep for this film.

The charm of this film lies in its unique, somewhat cheesy, yet chilling and distinctive horror experience, which you watch once, discuss briefly with a friend, and then likely forget forever. Leaving the events at the film’s climax to the audience’s imagination is the wisest choice. The essence of true fright lies in what remains unseen in the darkness, and Baghead’s finale captures this essence masterfully. Any potential sequel would only blur the eerie horror vibe this film manages to create, albeit not flawlessly.

Worth Watching?

Despite its unforgivably silly name and premise, Baghead offers a decent scare and is one of the few recent films to attempt a unique and original concept. That alone doesn’t make it a good film per se, but it’s worth a watch, especially if you’re into this type of cheesy horror. For the average horror viewer, it was clear this film was doomed to flop and not worth the time. However, for fans of trendy, slightly tacky horror, it might just be worth a shot, as it’s better than average.

-Herpai Gergely (BadSector)-