Set primarily on a beautifully sprawling country estate, Daddy’s Head uses the unnerving solitude and the discomfort of the unknown to weave a familiar story about an unconventional family struggling with grief while battling unimaginable darkness. Despite some smart writing, exciting creature design, and genuinely eerie moments, Benjamin Barfoot‘s folk horror fable relies too heavily on generic horror conventions to feel like anything more than a recycled attempt. There are some frights to be had here, but anybody familiar with this style of horror will see all of them coming a mile away.

Matthew Allen as “The Creature” in Benjamin Barfoot’s Daddy’s Head. Courtesy of Rob Baker Ashton. A Stigma Films Production. A Shudder Release.Daddy’s Head PlotFollowing the sudden and tragic death of his father, Isaac (Rupert Turnbull) must adapt to a new life living with his stepmother, Laura (Julia Brown). Their relationship is strained from the beginning, and the additional stress of coping with the tragic loss adds additional layers for them to overcome. But when a terrifying creature resembling Isaac’s recently deceased father begins to visit him, the new family will have to rely on each other to survive.

Julia Brown as “Laura” in Benjamin Barfoot’s Daddy’s Head. Courtesy of Rob Baker Ashton. A Stigma Films Production. A Shudder Release.Bogged Down by an Unoriginal StoryThe use of grief as a plot device in horror is nothing new, but in recent years, it’s become somewhat of an overused crutch. Barfoot, who wrote the script and directed the film, utilizes this cliche as the launching pad for his tale of terror. A family in shambles and reeling from the death of a loved one makes for an easy target. The isolated setting and the overall tone of the film feel overtly reminiscent of countless films that have come before it.

The primary comparison I’ve seen is to the 2014 cult classic The Babadook. Like in The Babadook (and every other horror movie from the past two decades), the young child uses art and illustrations as a way of expressing the indescribable horrors he’s been subjected to. Drawings of a human face perched atop monstrous bodies serve the purpose of foreshadowing the horrors still to come, but it’s a trope that has worn out its welcome. It’s hard to feel impending dread when I’m so busy rolling my eyes.

Rupert Turnbull as “Isaac” and Julia Brown as “Laura” in Benjamin Barfoot’s Daddy’s Head. Courtesy of Rob Baker Ashton. A Stigma Films Production. A Shudder Release.An Original Vision and DesignDaddy’s Head succeeds in setting an eerie and unsettling tone. While its methods are contrived, its effectiveness is respectable. Much of the film’s horror comes from the design of its creature. Seemingly inspired by the legendary skin-walker from Navajo culture, the creature possesses the ability to shapeshift and take on different forms and voices to torment its unsuspecting victims. Skin-walkers make for an interesting villain. Much like John Carpenter’s The Thing, the inability to tell the truth from a lie makes for a tense and paranoid experience. I only wish it had been utilized in a story more deserving.

Both Turnbull and Brown’s performances are strong, conveying the shock and terror of their surroundings naturally. However, most of the weight rests on Turnbull’s shoulders. As the terrorized child, his delivery ultimately determines the effectiveness and believability of the story. Despite the cast’s strong efforts and innovative creature design, the film is bogged down by the recycled elements of its overly familiar script.

Joshua’s Rating: 5/10Watch Daddy’s Head on Shudder – beginning on October 11, 2024. Shudder distributes. Check out the full Fantastic Fest 2024 lineup here! Read our coverage – reviews, lists, and interviews – here!Please check out other Sunshine State Cineplex reviews here!The post Review: DADDY’S HEAD – A Contrived and Familiar Folk Horror appeared first on Sunshine State Cineplex.