Daddy’s Head – Review | Shudder (4/5)

DADDY’S HEAD on Shudder is a new horror movie with a tiny cast but a deliciously creepy story. One that also manages to be full of heart. It’s inspired by real-life circumstances. Read our full Daddy’s Head movie review here!

DADDY’S HEAD is a new Shudder horror movie and you will definitely want to watch this. It’s a UK production which tends to lend a special vibe to it. The same can be said for the small cast and the wonderful choice of effects.

I jumped in my seat more than once, which is a good thing. Particularly because we’re not talking about classic jump scares but rather deep-seated creepy moments that just had me on edge. You could’ve whispered “boo!” and I would’ve jumped because I was so caught up in it.

Continue reading our Daddy’s Head horror movie review below. Find it on Shudder from October 11, 2024.

The heartbroken stepmom and wicked child

For Daddy’s Head, we’re getting a story about a stepmom and a child. However, there is no wicked stepmom in this story. Instead, the child is rather wicked and absolutely impossible. Though, to be fair, in reality, both are just completely heartbroken.

The story begins in the wake of Isaac’s father’s untimely death. The young boy is virtually drifting around in a sort of eerie solitude. Isaac lived with his father and stepmom, Laura, at a huge country estate. The house is modern with big panoramic windows and no neighbors nearby.

His stepmother, who he never took a liking to despite her very best and earnest effort, is struggling in the aftermath of her husband’s death. As a widow, she is now also the stepmom of a young boy, who has lost both his parents. Both are buried in the backyard of their house, to boot.

“Dad is back!”

Their fragile bond is at risk of collapsing as Isaac continues to virtually ignore Laura, and she is about ready to give up. She wants to give him a chance, but she is grieving and drinks to fall asleep at night. No matter her wishes, she can’t force the boy to accept her as family.

Then the boy starts to hear strange sounds echoing from the walls and through the corridors of the big house. Next, he sees a strange and rather grotesque creature who has a striking resemblance to his late father.

In Isaac’s mind, his dad is back and wants to be with his son again. To Laura, this sounds like madness and as Isaac gets violently angry, she’s about to give up. Then she too sees something that terrifies her, but could it be too late to react?!

As Laura, we have Julia Brown (World on Fire) delivering a heartbreaking (and heartbroken) portrayal of a grief-stricken woman. In the role of Isaac, Rupert Turnbull (The Alienist) turns out an impressive performance as a boy fighting to hold on to his father.

Also in a key role, we have Nathaniel Martello-White, who wrote and directed the psychological thriller The Strays (2023). Plus as the social worker, Miranda, who tries her best to help the grieving stepmom and son, we get Kaisa Hammerlund (Hijack).

The horror of the European countryside

Somehow, the European (and often English) countryside has its own brand of creepiness. Most recently explored in movies such as Starve Acre and the US remake of Speak No Evil. In fact, even the original Danish version of Speak No Evil played out in a rural area, but in The Netherlands.

For this new Shudder movie, we’re getting a story with a supernatural twist, instead of just people being psychos. The supernatural element feels more like what we witnessed in the Shyamalan’s The Watchers which played out in the Irish countryside.

I would certainly expect most horror fans to agree that the European countryside is something very different from the US. When a horror movie plays out in rural parts of the United States, it tends to be more like The Hills Have Eyes or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Even the fairly recent productions of X or Lowlifes worked with that particular brand of rural horror.

Anyway, my point (and I do have one!) is that if you enjoy those creepy European countryside horror stories, then Daddy’s Head is perfect for you. Also, Daddy’s Head is just a solid horror movie. Period.

Watch Daddy’s Head on Shudder

Daddy’s Head was written & directed by Benjamin Barfoot, who has stated that it’s partially based on himself as a boy. None of his parents died, but they did divorce and several stepmothers came in and out of his life. None he treated too kindly, and kids can be cruel.

Benjamin Barfoot had his directorial debut with the 2017 dark comedy slasher horror Double Date. He was shortlisted for a BIFA for best debut director and even won Best International feature at Strasbourg that year, so he was off to a strong beginning.

For me, Daddy’s Head was a very rewarding experience due to both the story and the cast. However, I also think the choices for the creature were spot-on. If the creature with the face of the deceased father had felt wrong or off, it could’ve ruined everything. Instead, it makes it seem absolutely real!

Daddy’s Head is streaming on Shudder from October 11, 2024.

Details

Director: Benjamin Barfoot
Screenwriter: Benjamin Barfoot
Cast: Julia Brown, Rupert Turnbull, Charles Aitken, Nathaniel Martello-White