Daddy's Head ending explained: Does Isaac survive at the end?

Daddy
Daddy's Head ending explained: Does Isaac survive at the end? (Image Via Shudder)

Daddy's Head, directed by Benjamin Barfoot, is an atmospheric horror film that leans heavily on ambiguity, inviting the audience to interpret its events. The movie unravels the unsettling story of Isaac and his stepmother, Laura, as they navigate the haunting aftermath of Isaac's father's death.

Barfoot uses elements of psychological horror and surrealism to create a narrative that keeps viewers guessing. The film's cryptic plot leaves room for multiple interpretations, making it both engaging and unnerving.

The story follows Isaac, a young boy who recently lost both his biological parents, and Laura, his stepmother, who struggles to adapt to her new role as Isaac’s sole guardian.

When strange events begin to unfold—such as the appearance of a mysterious creature resembling Isaac’s late father - tensions rise.

Is this entity a manifestation of grief, or is it something supernatural? The movie builds suspense around the connection between Isaac, the creature, and the sinister occurrences in their home.

Isaac survives at the end of Daddy's Head, managing to fend off the creature with Laura’s help and eventually finds peace living with her.


What happens to Isaac at the end of Daddy's Head?

Isaac survives at the end of Daddy's Head, but his survival comes at a psychological cost. In the climax, Laura and Isaac confront the creature that had been haunting their lives.

As Laura struggles to protect Isaac, they manage to fend off the entity, forcing it to retreat. The creature's departure marks the end of their immediate ordeal, but it leaves lasting scars.

In the movie's final sequence, an adult Isaac returns to the house where the events took place. Entering the den, he finds remnants of his past, including a photograph of his father and the skeletal remains of the creature that once tormented him.

This moment reveals that Isaac’s confrontation with the creature was a turning point in his life, allowing him and Laura to rebuild their relationship and move forward.

They eventually settle in a new home, indicating that despite the trauma, Isaac and Laura were able to find a sense of peace and stability.


What had happened to Isaac and Laura in Daddy's Head?

Isaac and Laura’s journey in Daddy's Head is one of grief, fear, and gradual healing. After the sudden death of James, Isaac’s father, both Isaac and Laura find themselves emotionally isolated.

Isaac, who already lost his mother, is now left feeling abandoned, while Laura, struggling with her new role, copes by drinking and watching old home videos of James.

Their inability to connect creates a tense atmosphere, and as the eerie presence of the creature grows, their relationship becomes more strained.

The creature’s appearance starts with Isaac seeing it in shadowy corners of the house. The entity gradually takes on the form of his deceased father, manipulating him and preying on his vulnerability.

Isaac’s interaction with the creature deepens his mistrust of Laura, especially after he witnesses her kissing their friend, Robert. This incident drives a wedge between them, leading Isaac to believe that only the creature understands him.

When Isaac brings Laura and Robert into the woods, the creature attacks Robert, leaving him severely injured. Laura, overwhelmed by the escalating situation, decides to confront Isaac about his behavior and their shared trauma.

Eventually, the two face the creature together, and their joint effort to fend it off is a symbolic moment where they acknowledge their need for each other.

The creature’s departure signifies the beginning of their healing, allowing them to leave the past behind and move forward together.


Who were the creatures in Daddy's Head?

The nature of the creatures in Daddy's Head remains deliberately ambiguous, serving as the film’s central mystery. The entity that Isaac sees often takes the form of his father, raising the question of whether it is a supernatural presence or a manifestation of Isaac's grief and imagination.

One theory suggests that the creature is an alien entity capable of shape-shifting, using familiar forms to manipulate its victims.

This explanation aligns with the scene where Isaac sees blue and red lights and recalls his father’s car crash, possibly hinting at extraterrestrial origins.

Another interpretation is that the creature represents Isaac's and Laura’s emotional struggles, particularly grief and loneliness. It preys on their vulnerabilities, embodying their unspoken fears.

The creature's ability to shapeshift could symbolize how grief can take many forms and deeply affect perception. This reading suggests that Isaac’s longing for his father and his isolation created a psychological manifestation that ultimately drove the plot’s horror.

The creature also appears to have targeted not just Isaac but the entire household, including their pet dog, Bella. Its influence grows stronger as it convinces Isaac to distrust Laura and brings him closer to its den in the woods.

This entity could be seen as a metaphorical force attempting to pull Isaac away from the real world and deeper into his trauma.


More details on Daddy's Head

Daddy's Head (Image Via Shudder)
Daddy's Head (Image Via Shudder)

Daddy's Head explores various horror tropes, blending psychological, supernatural, and sci-fi elements. The film uses Isaac's fragile state of mind as the foundation for the story, leaving viewers questioning whether the events are real or a product of his imagination.

The eerie atmosphere is heightened by Barfoot’s use of shadowy cinematography, creating an unsettling feeling of something always lurking just out of sight.

Laura’s character is central to the movie’s emotional core. Her struggle to connect with Isaac, combined with her unresolved grief, makes her an unreliable guardian initially. However, as the story progresses, she faces her fears head-on, becoming a protective figure.

Her character development is tied to the theme of resilience and the impact of trauma, highlighting how facing the unknown together can lead to healing.

The film’s climactic confrontation and ending provide a subtle yet satisfying resolution. The discovery of the creature’s skeletal remains in the den confirms its physical presence while leaving the door open for interpretation.

Is it a literal alien creature, as some clues suggest, or is it an embodiment of grief that dissipates once Isaac and Laura begin to heal?

The ending leaves the mystery intact but shows that by facing the horror together, Isaac and Laura manage to find a path forward.


Daddy's Head plays with the audience’s expectations, keeping the lines between reality and imagination blurred. The open-ended nature of the film encourages viewers to explore various theories, making it a compelling watch for fans of psychological and supernatural horror.

Interested viewers can watch it on Shudder.

Quick Links

Edited by Prem Deshpande
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications