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Baghead – what a name for a movie! Sounds like some sort of Scouse slur.
The film opens with Owen Lark (Peter Mullan, chewing scenery, as usual), making one of those movie “If you’re watching this, I’m dead” videos, before he encounters the titular individual. As a result, his daughter, Iris (Freya Allan – The Third Day), gets the deeds to the Queen’s Head pub, now a derelict building, but it’s where this mysterious woman inhabits the basement.
Before Iris knows what’s what about the place, a strange man, Neil (Jeremy Irvine – Dalgliesh: Shroud For A Nightingale), turns up, claiming he wants to speak to his wife in the basement… Pardon? And he’ll pay up to £4000 to do this… Pardon again? Well, Iris needs the money, however mad he sounds!
As it transpires, the woman in the bag can morph into anyone, and he wants to speak to his late wife, Sarah (Svenja Jung), but nothing ever goes to plan, and since you only get two minutes before ‘Baghead’ takes over and all hell breaks loose-ish, you’re going to be in a bit of schtook. And even more so, if you step beyond the wall from where she comes out.
That said, I’m surprised Iris was able to watch her Dad’s video, since his instructions come on a VHS tape. Like she’d have a player for that, in 2024?!
Add in a case of ‘things that go bump in the night’, and this film had a lot of potential, but ended up with a film which was quite dull, and probably should’ve stayed as just a short film. Still, in the end – without giving spoilers – it at least does have an ending, there is a final scene which made me think a sequel would be interesting.
Baghead is in cinemas now, and is available to pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD, ahead of its release date TBA.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 94 minutes
Release date: January 26th 2024
Studio: Studiocanal
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Cinema: Odeon Trafford Centre
Rating: 5/10
Director: Alberto Corredor
Producers: Alex Heineman, Andrew Rona
Screenplay: Christina Pamies, Bryce McGuire
Short film: Lorcan Reilly
Music: Suvi-Eeva Äikäs
Cast:
Iris Lark: Freya Allan
Neil: Jeremy Irvine
Katie: Ruby Barker
Owen Lark: Peter Mullan
Baghead: Anne Müller
Sarah: Svenja Jung
Solicitor: Ned Dennehy
Regina: Julika Jenkins
Catherine: Saffron Burrows
Otto Vogler: Felix Römer
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.