You’re right, the name Baghead is pretty laughable, but don’t let that put you off this surprisingly solid horror flick. I went in with low expectations and came out pleasantly spooked.
The premise is delightfully batshit crazy – we’re talking about a 400-year-old undead witch living in the basement of a pub who can shapeshift into dead people by eating their belongings…like some cursed, decrepit version of Ben 10. Absolutely bonkers, but it totally works.
Rather than relying on the tired demonic possession tropes we’ve seen a million times, Baghead zigs where you expect it to zag. The shapeshifting witch concept allows for some legit creepy moments when she’s mimicking the deceased loved ones. Just be prepared for some admittedly silly rubber monster antics too.
But what really sells it is the slow-burn dread and atmosphere. Jump scares are thankfully kept to a minimum in favor of lingering shots and ominous buildup. You’re always kept guessing about what fresh hell the Baghead witch is cooking up next.
I’m baffled why the reviews have been so lukewarm for this one. Maybe horror fans are just too jaded these days to appreciate something slightly off the beaten path. Their loss, I say! Baghead brings some wacky new ideas to the horror table that are definitely worth checking out.
At the end of the day, it’s an enjoyably spooky, if admittedly batshit crazy little horror romp. I’d take the inventive madness of Baghead over the endless rehashed Conjuring/Insidious clones any day of the week. Give this a shot if you’re looking for something refreshingly different in the horror realm.
