Baghead
A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement - Baghead - a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.
The film earned $6.7M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Baghead (2023) reveals carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Alberto Corredor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Iris Lark
Neil
Owen
Katie
Baghead
Main Cast & Characters
Iris Lark
Played by Freya Allan
A young woman who inherits a mysterious pub with a dark secret in the basement
Neil
Played by Peter Mullan
Iris's conniving estranged father who reveals the inheritance and its sinister purpose
Owen
Played by Jeremy Irvine
The previous caretaker of the pub who knows the truth about the creature
Katie
Played by Ruby Barker
A grieving woman who pays to see her deceased husband through Baghead
Baghead
Played by Anne Müller
A mysterious supernatural creature that can channel the dead for two minutes at a time
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Iris lives a struggling, disconnected life in Berlin, estranged from her father Owen who runs a remote pub. She's financially unstable and emotionally isolated.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Owen dies, and Iris inherits the pub along with its dark secret. She discovers the supernatural creature in the basement that can bring back the dead.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Iris makes the active choice to use Baghead for money, agreeing to help a grieving man named Neil reconnect with his deceased wife for payment. She crosses into the world of exploiting the supernatural., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A rule is broken: either someone touches the resurrected or time exceeds two minutes. The false victory of controlling Baghead shatters as the creature's true malevolent nature emerges. Stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Someone close to Iris dies because of Baghead, or the creature fully escapes containment. The "whiff of death" is literal. Everything Iris tried to build collapses, and she faces the consequences of disturbing death., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final confrontation with Baghead. Iris executes her plan to trap, destroy, or permanently seal the creature. She faces the supernatural threat directly, using both courage and the rules she's learned to overcome it., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Baghead's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Baghead against these established plot points, we can identify how Alberto Corredor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Baghead within the horror genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Iris lives a struggling, disconnected life in Berlin, estranged from her father Owen who runs a remote pub. She's financially unstable and emotionally isolated.
Theme
A character warns about the danger of exploiting grief and pain: "Some doors shouldn't be opened." The theme explores the cost of trying to connect with the dead and the price of desperation.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Iris's disconnected relationship with her dying father Owen, the remote pub she inherits, and the introduction of the mysterious basement entity "Baghead" that can temporarily resurrect the dead for two minutes.
Disruption
Owen dies, and Iris inherits the pub along with its dark secret. She discovers the supernatural creature in the basement that can bring back the dead.
Resistance
Iris debates what to do with the pub and the creature. She learns the rules from her father's notes: two minutes only, never touch the resurrected, never let them out. She resists using Baghead despite financial pressure.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Iris makes the active choice to use Baghead for money, agreeing to help a grieving man named Neil reconnect with his deceased wife for payment. She crosses into the world of exploiting the supernatural.
Premise
The "business" of using Baghead unfolds. Iris conducts séances for money, experiencing the promise and horror of the premise. Rules are tested, boundaries pushed, and the entity becomes increasingly demanding and dangerous.
Midpoint
A rule is broken: either someone touches the resurrected or time exceeds two minutes. The false victory of controlling Baghead shatters as the creature's true malevolent nature emerges. Stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Baghead grows stronger and more aggressive. The entity begins possessing people or breaking free of constraints. Iris realizes she's lost control and the creature wants permanent freedom. Her greed has endangered everyone.
Collapse
Someone close to Iris dies because of Baghead, or the creature fully escapes containment. The "whiff of death" is literal. Everything Iris tried to build collapses, and she faces the consequences of disturbing death.
Crisis
Iris confronts her darkest moment of guilt and despair. She processes the death, her role in it, and contemplates giving up. The emotional low point before she finds resolve to end what she started.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final confrontation with Baghead. Iris executes her plan to trap, destroy, or permanently seal the creature. She faces the supernatural threat directly, using both courage and the rules she's learned to overcome it.