Daddy’s Head might falter in its conclusion in the rush to tie everything into a neat bow; however, it is a creepy and downright scary addition to the horror genre and spooky season.
Daddy’s Head, playing at Fantastic Fest, is a nail-biting horror set in a secluded home in the woods that tackles grief and is a delightful creature feature. The imagery is disturbing and stunning, reeling viewers into a house that’s no longer home. As the danger rises, the movie weaves a story emphasizing the characters’ struggle to connect as much as the growing threat. Daddy’s Head might falter in its conclusion in the rush to tie everything into a neat bow; however, it is a creepy and downright scary addition to the horror genre and spooky season.
Written and directed by Benjamin Barfoot (Double Date, Panorama), the movie follows a young boy, Isaac, played by Rupert Turnbull (Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, Nativity Rocks!), and his stepmother, Laura, played by Julia Brown (Jesse and the Elf Boy, Anthony) as they struggle with a tragic loss. Isaac lost his father and Laura, her husband. But now, they must navigate this new familial dynamic when a creature that has the father’s face comes into the mix. Hence, the name of the movie—Daddy’s Head.
Daddy’s Head Captures the Challenges of Grief And an Unexpected Family
The movie makes it apparent how keenly Isaac and Laura feel the loss. While Isaac escapes into a handheld game his father purchased, Laura escapes into a bottle of wine. Nightly, she falls asleep to home videos playing on the television. It also becomes clear that Isaac and Laura were never close. So, now that the buffer and person they both loved are gone, the dynamic between them is awkward on both sides before downgrading to antagonistic. In that sense, it’s similar to M3gan, as the women in both movies find themselves thrust into single parenthood. Daddy’s Head sells the grief, anger, and struggle that accompanies a sudden tragic loss.
Intense Performances that Convey Pain and Fear
As the main focus is on Isaac and his stepmother, their interactions are the central core of the story. Rupert Turnbull delivers a performance that sometimes adds frustration but feels honest nonetheless. Julia Brown is terrific as his stepmother, who’s teetering between anger, suspicion, grief, and a mental breakdown. Nathaniel Martello-White (Silent Night, Daphne) is also remarkable as a friend whose presence the entity uses to create additional conflict.
Stunning Direction
The imagery in Daddy’s Head adds a gorgeous layer to the horror. The visual aspect is breathtaking even as things unfold and fear and nightmares build. From the lights of the car flashing across the window at night in a foggy landscape to the architectural disquieting appearance of the tiny home supposedly fashioned by Isaac’s father, it all delivers. Benjamin Barfoot employs attention to detail with a keen eye, allowing the isolation and landscape to become part of the grief and danger but never lose its luster.
Daddy’s Head is a beautiful and, at times, chilling look at grief unfolding around otherworldly phenomena. While the film has some loose threads that go unanswered, it’s a fantastic film overall. The ending might be too pat and needs a content warning for animal lovers, but it does a lot within a confined space. Daddy’s Head is a horror film that blends stunning imagery with grounded horror.
