Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy thriller with drinking, language, and jump scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Daddy's Head
What's the Story?
In DADDY'S HEAD, after the unexpected death of his father, Isaac (Rupert Turnbull) has to live with his stepmother (Julia Brown), whom he barely knows. As the two try to make sense of their new life together, Isaac begins to hear voices and have visions of a creature that sounds and looks like his late father.
Is It Any Good?
Despite its terrible title, this is an elegant horror flick with unexpected twists and turns. Although Daddy's Head will most likely be compared to The Babadook, its mood and stylish thrills have more in common with The Others or its inspiration The Innocents, films in which the creepiness of an isolated house and its surroundings more than make up for any eventual spooks and creatures that might pop in for a visit.
The young Rupert Turnbull gives a terrific performance as Isaac, as he does more with his eyes and expressions than with any dialogue. There is a brilliant drama somewhere in Isaac's relationship with his stepmother, Laura, but the film's genre prevents it from exploring what's truly scary about the story: trying to create a sense of family with someone who is a complete stranger.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Isaac shows courage and resilience. How does he deal with the death of his father and starting a new life with Laura?
What were the scariest elements in the film for you?
How do you think the setting adds to the film's mood? Did the house become a character to you? Would the film's jump scares have worked in an apartment in the city, for example?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2024
- Cast : Rupert Turnbull , Julia Brown , Nathaniel Martello-White
- Director : Benjamin Barfoot
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Shudder
- Genre : Horror
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 9, 2024
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