Baghead (2008)
68%RT Audience Score: 49%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Pitting actors against murderers in a self-aware struggle for stardom, Baghead successfully skates the borders of horror and comedy
Baghead is a movie that’s hard to classify, but easy to enjoy. It’s like a romantic comedy, but with a hint of horror. The characters are relatable and the story is engaging, even if it does meander a bit. The low-fi production adds to the charm, and the self-awareness of the film is both clever and funny. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for something a little different. Plus, who doesn’t love a good bag on the head?
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros.,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, some sexual content and nudity
Year of Release
2008
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 28m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2008 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 30, 2008
Genre(s)
Comedy/Mystery & thriller
Keyword(s)
starring Steve Zissis, Ross Partridge, Greta Gerwig, Elise Muller, Jett Garner, Jennifer Lafleur, directed by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, written by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, comedy, mystery, thriller, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anton Bitel, Edward Crouse, Joshua Rothkopf, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Keith Uhlich, Bill Goodykoontz, Brian Eggert, Emma Wolfe, Richard Crouse, Mattie Lucas, James Vance, producer John E Bryant, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, MPAA rating R, horror, self-aware, struggling filmmakers, cabin, Big Bear, California, horror flick, bag on head, romantic interests, crisscross, finishing the script, concerns, sexual content, nudity, language, Sony Pictures Classics
Worldwide gross: $140,106
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $192,991
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,938
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 21,046
US/Canada gross: $140,106
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $192,991
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,553
US/Canada opening weekend: $8,640
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $11,901
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,670
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Steve Zissis – Chad
Greta Gerwig – Michelle
Elise Muller – Catherine
Jett Garner – Jett Garner
Jennifer Lafleur – Festival Director
Jay Duplass – Director, Writer, Producer
Mark Duplass – Director, Writer, Producer
John E. Bryant – Producer
Director(s)
Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Writer(s)
Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Producer(s)
John E. Bryant, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (101) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (80) | Rotten (21)
it is set in the same indie filmmaking world from which it has emerged, and brings to its character-driven dynamics of love and friendship the barest shades of horror
March 1, 2022
Anton Bitel
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
November 18, 2011 | Rating: 5/5
Edward Crouse
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
An extended navel gaze.
October 22, 2008
Keith Uhlich
UGO
TOP CRITIC
The truth eventually comes out, as it must, and it’s not exactly a stunner.
September 18, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
TOP CRITIC
The Duplass’ knowing and self-referential picture defies classification, effortlessly shifting tones from relationship comedy to slasher horror, while always nudging the audience to recognize the film’s self-awareness.
April 18, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Authentic storytelling.
April 14, 2021 | Rating: 6/10
Emma Wolfe
SpookyAstronauts
The low-fi production only offers up low-fi thrills, but the interaction of the characters is natural and interesting enough to earn Baghead a recommendation.
January 31, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Richard Crouse
Richard Crouse
Without script or direction, the film meanders dangerously, leaving long stretches of emptiness between the more effective scare moments.
July 7, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
It’s the movie’s seeming lack of structure that keeps us off-guard, and that’s what makes the whole messy enterprise so genially compelling.
February 6, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4
James Vance
Tulsa World
Something [that] is both impressive and thrifty is Jay and Mark Duplass’ Baghead, unquestionably the most inventive horror film in years — one that puts character first and genre expectations last.
October 21, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Simon Miraudo
Quickflix…
Plot
Four struggling filmmakers retreat to a cabin in the woods to write a horror film about a man with a bag on his head, but their romantic interests and personal issues threaten to derail their project in Baghead.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Baghead.
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