Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by
Daddy’s Head is a 2024 Horror Movie written and directed by Benjamin Barfoot. The film stars Benjamin Barfoot, with a runtime of 2h 7M, and will be released on October 11, 2024.
The film Daddy’s Head, which was directed by Benjamin Barfoot is a horror film that has an interesting way of portraying grief through horror. What is more, the film begins with the topic based on the sudden death of a loved one, which makes the audience involved immediately. If you have watched The Babadook then you may think that Daddy’s Head is also that type of film where a monster symbolizes sadness or any kind of trauma. However, Barfoot twists the story in a slightly darker way and makes it a bit less of a cut-and-dry morality tale. He does not spend time narrating, preferring to let the creepy visuals and feelings of fear do most of the work. One might find the concept splitting people into extremes—those who are into it, and those who looked for more clear-cut answers—but the sense of creepy will be beyond doubt.
The plot begins with a boy named Lewis, portrayed by Rupert Turnbull, and his stepmother, Laura, portrayed by Julia Brown. They visit the hospital to bid their farewells to James (Charles Aitken), Lewis’s father, who is almost unconscious most of the time and looks deadly ill with bloody bandages all over his body. This is a heartbreaking scene that is made worse by the fact that after the death of his mother and after the scene where his father threatens him with a knife, Lewis has nobody apart from Laura who has been married to his dad for only a few weeks. Things are even worse since Lewis does not incline her at all. Laura is faced with a tough choice: should she try to bring up a crying boy who despises her touch or should she let social services drop him off in foster care?
While the two are trying to cope with grief, weird and creepy incidents occur in the big house located in the forest. A vengeful Spirit in the form of James, the father of Lewis, appears and starts to terrorize them. But is it real or only in Lewis’s imagination?
Throughout even the opening tense scenes, Barfoot employs the tropes of folk horror—an approach to horror that often portrays the countryside, isolation, and the supernatural—to ratchet up the suspense. The movie isn’t scary at the beginning but rather sets a mood by situating itself in a desolate forest. Yes, both Lewis and Laura are suffering not in the same way but in their unique way. Lewis remains a man of no words and hardly speaks while Laura turns to be a wine drinker due to the lonely, silent nights. It further escalates their interaction as both feelings of fear and sadness in the relationship intensify.
The creature is not immediately visible and, when it finally appears, Barfoot ensures that it remains out of sight enough to maintain an air of mystery. The only occasions when it is depicted are very eerie affairs. He is good with editing, especially on horror scenes but at times he exits the shot just when things are about to go scary. This might lead to a desire for more scary moments though at the same time, the monstrous side of the creature remains well hidden.
Another pro of Daddy’s Head that I like is that Barfoot does not give explanations to too many things. He hints at what is happening but never says outright what the creature is and what it stands for. It’s refreshing because whereas many other horrors like to take simple emotions like grieving or anger and manifest them in the form of monsters, Daddy’s Head does not follow this formula. However, Barfoot does not dictate how you should perceive the creature and how the family experiences its hardships but allows you to develop your own opinions and impressions of it.
The major positive aspect is that the cast is not very large, and the actors do a good job in portraying the emotional scenes. One can root for Julia Brown or the character Laura because despite dealing with her demons, she goes out of her way to ensure that Lewis gets the help he needs. Rupert Turnbull portrays Lewis as a shy and reserved boy, but the audience can see that he has aggressive tendencies, and the moments when he argues or makes eye contact with Laura appear genuine. I can sense how difficult it is for both of them to face grief and fear.
On an aesthetic level, the movie is good to watch and the creature from the Black Lagoon is simply terrifying. Barfoot understands how to manipulate the creature to elicit the audience’s creepy feelings; still, some fans would desire more scenes exploring horror themes. The ending of the movie seems to be slightly rushed and while it did not leave me attached emotionally as it should have, it is still fitting.
In conclusion, Daddy’s Head is a horror film that is chilling but not in your face from the very start, nor does it immediately provide all the clues. It forces you to pay attention to what is happening which could be more engaging if you listen to what is being told to you. Whether you end up loving or disliking the film’s vague storytelling, one thing is for sure: As much as Daddy’s Head is funny, it will make you feel uncomfortable at the end.
Daddy’s Head 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Daddy’s Head is not rated because it has not undergone the official rating process by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA).
