Baghead
Baghead is a 2023 supernatural horror film directed by Alberto Corredor in his feature directorial debut, based on his 2017 short film of the same name co-written with Lorcan Reilly.[1][2] The story centers on Iris Lark (Freya Allan), a young woman who inherits her estranged father's dilapidated, centuries-old pub in Berlin following his death, only to discover a shape-shifting entity known as Baghead confined in the basement, which can channel the voices of the deceased but exacts a fatal toll on those who summon it.[3][4] Written by Bryce McGuire and Christina Pamies, the film explores themes of grief, guilt, and the dangers of meddling with the supernatural, unfolding primarily in the single location of the pub with a compact ensemble cast.[3][1] Key cast members include Jeremy Irvine as Neil, Iris's partner; Ruby Barker as her friend Katie; Peter Mullan as her late father Owen Lark; and Anne Müller as Baghead, supported by actors such as Saffron Burrows, Svenja Jung, Ned Dennehy, and Julika Jenkins.[5] Produced by Vertigo Entertainment—the company behind films like It (2017) and Barbarian (2022)—and Shudder Originals, Baghead had its initial theatrical release in Germany on December 28, 2023, followed by releases in other European countries including the UK on January 26, 2024, and a U.S. streaming debut on Shudder and AMC+ on April 5, 2024.[6][4][7] With a runtime of 94 minutes, the film received mixed reviews, praised for its atmospheric tension and creature design but criticized for predictable plotting and underdeveloped characters, earning a 31% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.4/10 average user score on IMDb.[4][1]Content
Plot
Following the death of her estranged father, Owen, Iris (Freya Allan) inherits his dilapidated pub, The Queen's Head, in Berlin, where she arrives with her friend Katie (Ruby Barker) amid financial desperation and uncertainty about her future.[8] While exploring the rundown property, Iris discovers a hidden creature known as Baghead in the basement—a shape-shifting entity capable of allowing communication with the dead for exactly 2 minutes per session, but only after posing one specific question and paying a steep physical and psychological price that feeds the creature's growing hunger.[8][4] Desperate for money to renovate and save the pub from foreclosure, Iris agrees to a proposition from Neil (Jeremy Irvine), a wealthy but grieving client who seeks to contact his deceased wife, Sarah, and offers substantial payment for access to Baghead's power.[8] As Iris begins to monetize the creature's abilities by arranging secretive sessions for paying customers, she learns more about the entity's rules: it is bound to a guardian via an ancient deed, manifests the deceased using a personal item, and becomes increasingly vengeful and manipulative if its limits are exceeded or if multiple questions are asked.[8] The operation quickly spirals into chaos as supernatural consequences escalate; Baghead starts shape-shifting into terrifying forms, including manifestations of the summoned dead that turn hostile, leading to violent incidents and betrayals among Iris's associates.[8] Neil, obsessed with unlimited access, drugs Iris and attempts to seize control of the deed, while Katie's involvement ends in tragedy, her body discovered in Baghead's lair, prompting Iris to vow to seal the creature away forever.[8] In the climactic confrontation, Neil attacks Iris in a bid to inherit the pub and eliminate restrictions on Baghead, chasing her through the building and ultimately pushing her from the roof to her apparent death.[8] However, Baghead, having orchestrated the events through subtle manipulations—including prior killings and deceptions—Neil uses Baghead, disguised as Iris, to sign the deed over to himself, but Iris's name remains tied to it, effectively freeing Baghead as its own guardian to kill Neil in multiple disguises before burning the document and the pub to the ground.[8] Baghead escapes into the world, disguised as Iris, unbound and poised for further deception.[8]Cast
The principal cast of Baghead is led by Freya Allan, who portrays Iris Lark, the grieving daughter who inherits her estranged father's rundown pub in Berlin and becomes entangled with its supernatural secret. Allan, best known for her breakout role as Ciri in Netflix's The Witcher, was announced as the lead in June 2021, marking her transition to starring in horror features.[9] Jeremy Irvine plays Neil, Iris's opportunistic business partner who proposes a risky scheme to capitalize on the pub's hidden asset. Irvine joined the cast alongside other key ensemble members in October 2021.[10] Ruby Barker portrays Katie, Iris's close friend who gets drawn into the pub's illicit operations. Barker, recognized from Bridgerton, was cast in June 2021 shortly after Allan's announcement.[11] Peter Mullan appears as Owen Lark, Iris's late father, primarily in flashback sequences that reveal his connection to the pub's dark history. Mullan was added to the production in October 2021.[10] Anne Müller embodies Baghead, the enigmatic shape-shifting creature residing in the pub's basement that grants access to the deceased at a perilous cost.[12] Supporting roles include Ned Dennehy as the solicitor who handles the estate transfer, Julika Jenkins as Regina, a regular client seeking the creature's services, and Saffron Burrows as Catherine, another associate involved in the pub's underground dealings; Burrows was announced in October 2021.[10][12] Additional ensemble members feature Svenja Jung as Sarah.[12]| Actor | Role | Character Function |
|---|---|---|
| Freya Allan | Iris Lark | Grieving daughter and reluctant pub owner navigating inheritance and supernatural discovery |
| Jeremy Irvine | Neil | Business partner with motives tied to exploiting the pub's secret |
| Ruby Barker | Katie | Iris's friend assisting in the pub's clandestine operations |
| Peter Mullan | Owen Lark | Deceased father appearing in flashbacks to contextualize the family's history |
| Anne Müller | Baghead | Shape-shifting entity enabling communication with the dead for a price |