I watched *Babadook* because it was listed as one of the best horror movies ever. I wanted to expand my horror genre catalogue. It was solid, but I wouldn't say I was amazed by it.
The cast was impressive. It was largely Amelia and Sam, who were both wonderful. Sam (Noah Wiseman) was actually 6 years old and I don't know how that boy pulled off his role so well. Essie Davis was haunting and perfectly embodied and represented all the tired, sleep-deprived single mothers out there.
I don't know if I would say that *Babadook* was "scary". It was more anxiety-inducing if anything. There were definitely very little jump scares and half the time I didn't get a good look at Babadook itself. Another sin I committed was not really having great audio (watched on ipad speaker). Half of horror is audio. I should not do that anymore down the road because I think it actually affects how scared I am by a horror movie.
Babadook was manifestation of grief. I kind of thought maybe it was the product of an insomnia-related psychosis + hallucination but it became clear toward the end that it was about grief. Amelia lost her husband and Sam lost what he should have gotten. The shared grief has manifested in the form of Babadook and "attacks" them, particularly Amelia. Her being possessed by Babadook symbolizes how her grief can overcome her and take her frustration out on Sam (although Sam is really a brat because of many reasons). The ending scene was meaningful as she somehow controls and feeds Babadook in her basement. It shows that grief is something that may never go away but you have to keep it under control, perhaps for the rest of your life.
Many good movies I have liked was about grief. I have seen horror movies that incorporated the theme of grief into it (e.g. Hereditary?) but none has done it to the extent of *Babadook*. I appreciated that in this movie the most.
The cast was impressive. It was largely Amelia and Sam, who were both wonderful. Sam (Noah Wiseman) was actually 6 years old and I don't know how that boy pulled off his role so well. Essie Davis was haunting and perfectly embodied and represented all the tired, sleep-deprived single mothers out there.
I don't know if I would say that *Babadook* was "scary". It was more anxiety-inducing if anything. There were definitely very little jump scares and half the time I didn't get a good look at Babadook itself. Another sin I committed was not really having great audio (watched on ipad speaker). Half of horror is audio. I should not do that anymore down the road because I think it actually affects how scared I am by a horror movie.
Babadook was manifestation of grief. I kind of thought maybe it was the product of an insomnia-related psychosis + hallucination but it became clear toward the end that it was about grief. Amelia lost her husband and Sam lost what he should have gotten. The shared grief has manifested in the form of Babadook and "attacks" them, particularly Amelia. Her being possessed by Babadook symbolizes how her grief can overcome her and take her frustration out on Sam (although Sam is really a brat because of many reasons). The ending scene was meaningful as she somehow controls and feeds Babadook in her basement. It shows that grief is something that may never go away but you have to keep it under control, perhaps for the rest of your life.
Many good movies I have liked was about grief. I have seen horror movies that incorporated the theme of grief into it (e.g. Hereditary?) but none has done it to the extent of *Babadook*. I appreciated that in this movie the most.