The Babadook (2014) User Reviews

Genuine terror

[lnvicta · 8/10 · 15 May 2015]

The Babadook isn't for the mainstream crowd. If you're looking for jump scares and scary monsters you wont find any here. The Babadook is a movie that taps into the basal emotion of fear. It portrays the truly terrifying things in life - grief, loneliness, and despair. Not things that freak you out but things that make you unsettled, disturbed, and human.

The acting is fantastic, the story itself is unique and told brilliantly through its subtle writing and directing, it's very well paced, I could go on and on. What I love about this movie especially is the suspense. There is always tension present throughout the movie, like there's an underlying unease to every shot. The way Jennifer Kent crafts these shots is bleak and macabre but not to the point where it's depressing. You're always on the edge of your seat. And I can't give enough credit to Essie Davis. Her performance is Academy Award worthy material, seriously. The son is great as well. At first he may seem obnoxious, and to an extent he is, but he acts exactly how a kid would act in that situation. You believe him. You believe everything these characters are doing, and that's what makes this movie work so well.

The Babadook really is one of the best horror movies I've seen in a long time and I've seen a lot. Is it scarier than The Conjuring or Sinister? I wouldn't say that, but that depends entirely on your definition of scary. This movie explores the more disturbing and realistic side of the genre, I'd say it's more haunting than said movies for sure. It's psychological horror at its finest. It actually gets under your skin, and when a movie can do that, it has done its job.

Chilling and Sad.Ignore the One-Stars!

[garydear3009 · 8/10 · 2 November 2014]

Never written a review before. Haven't felt the need. But after seeing the 1 star reviews of this film,i just felt compelled.

Firstly,what this is.

I would say a cross between The Shining and We Need to talk about Kevin. This film is desperately sad. A woman who is haunted,first by her husbands death,then by the Babadook all while looking after her young son. This is a creepy, no jump scare, fantastic psychological horror. A rare gem that plays on all those fairytale fears that you may have had as a kid.

Second.What this isn't.

Well,not "The worst horror in years".I get that people have different opinions.I do.But this isn't a film that can justify that sort of nonsensical comment. It isn't a dull jump scare-filled blockbuster. The characters are not hot teenagers. They are believable, disturbed and this makes the film the slow,creeping horror that it is.

If you are a fan of horror,it really is a must see film.

let me in

[dannylee-78082 · 8/10 · 18 September 2023]

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.

One of the Best Horror Films of 2014

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 25 May 2015]

A single mother (Essie Davis), plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son (Noah Wiseman)'s fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Some people find this film terrifying, some just find it eerie. If nothing else, it stands out as original. Writer-director Jennifer Kent hits a home run, taking what she learned from her very unusual film school (watching Lars von Trier) and incorporating it here. But it is so much more than good direction and excellent framing.

This is a film that could fail if the elements were off. If the creature effects were cheesy, it would not be as scary. If the mother was not as convincing, it would not be so emotional. And Noah Wiseman? Wow. Few child actors are able to perform on this level. The last one with this much talent that comes to mind is Chloe Moretz. Give this kid more roles, and give them to him now.

A meditation on grief

[ExiledRoyal · 9/10 · 26 October 2019]

The Babadook surprised me on two counts.

First, as someone who doesn't often get the warm fuzzies at spooky films, this did. It's a well acted, believable account of a mum and child being haunted by a seemingly malevolent 'thing'. Effective jumps and creeping tension are handled well.

But I was surprised again by the end, as I came away seeing it as an allegory for deep grief and a way through it. I found it quite moving, the mum finding a place for that darkness, finally taking control of it.

Good But Overrated

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 1 December 2014]

Why are so many of the reviews here giving this a 9 or 10 taking the time to insult everyone who feels otherwise? I get it with movies based on superheroes or popular book series -- they have rabid fans who lash out. But why this? It's just a horror movie. And, honestly, an overrated one. I'm not saying its bad. It's actually a good watch. But the praise is pretty over the top. It's a well-crafted movie of its type but not an instant classic or any of that hyperbole. One thing I was very happy about was that it actually did follow through with the advertised premise. As I was watching it, about midway through I became concerned this was not going to be a movie about a supernatural creature but rather a message movie about mental illness and child abuse. Thankfully the movie dispels that in the last twenty or so minutes.

It's a pretty good (but not great) movie with a couple of nice scares and shocks. However, I didn't find it to be as groundbreaking or unique as many other reviewers. Sometimes I think horror fans are dying of thirst so every little drop of water is oversold as being on par with "fill in the blank with a classic horror film." It's not all that. It's just not. And the mom and kid got on my nerves big time before the first hour was up. This is a movie with a lot of scenes of people being assholes. A lot of yelling, etc. If you're like me that stuff drains you after awhile. I had a headache by the end. Speaking of the end, I'm unsure how I feel about it. Kudos for not tying it all up too neatly but I didn't quite get what the hell Babadook was and, more importantly, why is it eating worms? I kinda like the weirdness of that. Hope they don't ruin it by doing a sequel. Who are we kidding, of course they will.

Much more than a horror film

[mikeburdick · 9/10 · 29 August 2015]

While "The Babadook" may display some of the hallmarks of the traditional horror film, there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye. Far from the typical Hollywood bloodfest so brilliantly satired in "Cabin in the Woods," this film's characters are layered, its plot is mercurial, its actions are metaphorical, and its conclusions are ambiguous. All this is likely to disappoint those filmgoers who need to be spoonfed a formula. But if you're a film lover, Do. Not. Miss. This.

Director Jennifer Kent understands what most horror filmmakers fail to grasp: that our biggest fear isn't of crazy killers or monsters or ghosts, but of ourselves—what lives inside us, the emotions we have to live with, the illusory veil of self-control.

The plot revolves around a mum, her troubled son and the book he pulls off the shelf one night. But you already know too much. This is one film where knowing less going into it will really pay dividends. Really, don't even watch the trailer.

Just know that the storytelling and craft are flawless. Essie Davis delivers one of the most challenging performances put to screen with total commitment and credibility. Kent's storytelling is utterly absorbing and she so delicately treads the line between what's real and what's not that you can never be sure of yourself.

What you make of "The Babadook" will depend on who you are. You might take it at face value, as a creepy monster flick with all the constant threat and looming dread and shocking moments. You might take it as an attempt to capture the authentic experience of mental illness. You might take it as a symbolic story using a metaphor for grief and loss. The best films make you feel something and allow you the room to make sense of it yourself.

Personally, I thought about this film for days after seeing it, both because of its ambiguity and because of the themes it explores, namely mental illness and domestic violence. Yes, it's scary. But it's also touching and heartbreaking. While "The Babadook" belongs alongside other great psychological horror films, like "The Innocents" and "The Haunting" (1963), to classify it purely as "horror" really belittles its accomplishment as a film that challenges us to examine and discuss issues we are very uncomfortable tackling in reality.

A fantastic horror film!

[haileyatthedisco · 7/10 · 18 June 2015]

The Babadook is an excellent, well written Australian film. It was very thought provoking for me and my boyfriend. We both find it very difficult to find a truly good, recently made horror film, and this one was exactly what we were looking for! The lack of jump scares and gore made this movie more of a thriller than anything else, but this was also a good thing as it did not need those jump scares or gore to make it scary. The lack of sexual content was also great, as I have noticed a lot of movies depend on sex appeal to draw in audiences. The Babadook also had great acting, especially in the son! This was an all around wonderful film that I could watch over and over again and still have nightmares every time! I highly recommend this movie to any horror lovers out there!

Brilliant depiction of a borderline mother and her child

[klarnemann · 10/10 · 4 October 2019]

Like the child -- and adults -- in the film, the audience is blind to the simple, shattering reality: Amelia created the Babadook. Amelia is -- and always was -- the Babadook. The film brilliantly depicts the dissociated perceptions of both child and mother as they attempt to survive their horrifying and tragic reality. Because, who can fathom a mother who is pathologically detached, hateful, malicious, and... violent towards her child? Not the child, not the mother, and not even the adults that surround them. The adults who watch this film. We are blinded by our deeply held belief that mothers are supposed to be nurturing, loving, and most of all... safe havens for their children. The reality is that Amelia is possessed -- by borderline personality disorder triggered by the traumatic loss of her husband. A perpetual victim, she feeds off of her self-pity and the pity of those around her, using it to justify her seething resentment of her child. Unable to take responsibility for her abusive behavior, she birthed the "Babadook". Underneath it all is a deeply troubled mother -- and a brave child living in constant fear of and for his mother, desperately struggling to protect himself, protect his (abusive) mother, and, ultimately, to survive. I am so grateful for this film, which so perfectly encapsulates the reality of hidden mental illness, giving life to the complex experiences of mother, child, and outside observers.

The scariest "children's film" I have ever seen

[Cineman17 · 7/10 · 15 January 2014]

We are all familiar with the scenario: a young boy with an overactive imagination becomes terrified of the monster underneath his bed, and rushes to his mother for a therapeutic bedtime story. But what if this imaginary monster actually becomes real? This is the set up for a new Australian horror flick premiering at this year's Sundance Film Festival entitled The Babadook. Our protagonist, Sam, is terrified of monsters. So terrified he is loosing sleep, causing trouble in class, and creating his own sinister weaponry out of household objects as a means of defense. It's enough to drive his widowed mother, Amelia, into a frantic state of paranoia. As tensions between the two escalate, a new presence called the Babadook makes it's way into the household which questions the sanity of everyone involved. The film cleverly embraces and deconstructs typical horror film conventions in order to create something new. Though it is hilariously playful and entertaining, it's also a terrifying psychological thrill in the same vein as films like Black Swan or Rosemary's Baby. Essie Davis is great as Amelia, but newcomer Noah Wiseman gives an incredibly memorable child acting performance. If you are a horror fan looking for something new, look no further than The Babadook. Just be prepared to have nightmares afterward, and remember to leave the kiddos at home for this one.

Annoying

[imdb-14850 · 3/10 · 4 April 2022]

Gave this film 20 minutes. Had more than enough of the constantly whingeing, annoying kid by then. Rather than feel sorry for him, you hope something awful happens to him. Or, at least I did.

Beware of the Babadook

[aldri-feb · 7/10 · 8 August 2014]

Original and truly terrifying, "The Babadook" proves what a horror-fiction movie could do with involving more on psychological emotion from it's protagonist character rather than shocking audience with ghost appearances. It has totally different ways to scare compared with James Wan's "The Conjuring" or "Insidious". The movie focused on Babadook, a scary creature from children's tale but even The Babadook appearance itself wasn't much exploited and seems too mysterious. The débutant director, Jennifer Kent has successfully and smartly convinced also planted images of Babadook character at audience's mind without much showing what it really looks like and keep them guessing at the ending part. Babadook only appears couple times at shadow, sounds or some hallucinations.

What definitely makes this film that scary is a standout performance from Essie Davis. Her acting as Amelia greatly portrays a destroyed and depressed mother who have unwell circumstances to raise her only son. At first half of the film, audiences were dragged to feel the stressful condition and sympathy to Amelia but she with her gesture and changed behavior would surely scare them when it reaches last 20 minutes. "The Babadook" is a respectful and undeniably creepy old-school horror movie that is rarely to find these days. With also supported by strong performances from Essie Davis, spooky suggestive premise and surrounded by annoying score, makes Babadook easier to sneak in your midnight sleep and haunt you as worst nightmare.

Brilliant... if you know when to stop.

[phgrilo · 7/10 · 9 November 2014]

To be quite blunt and honest, I find the reviews for this movie unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, it is very original, the acting is awesome, and it manages to be disturbing and creepy. The problem is where it goes from there. I'm not going to bother explaining what the story is, you probably already read that. The movie is made in such a way that leaves you wondering if the Babadook is real or if the main character is going insane. That is definitely a plus, and the movie goes along this line almost all the way. Then there is that scene where the lady next door, knocks on the door at the middle of the night to ask if everything is OK. This is by no means a spoiler, it is just an alert that is when thing start going downhill. From then on, the story decays to the point of pure silliness. It is a train wreck. I've seen quite a few movies like this and it still mesmerizes me why and how do the directors manage to spoil everything so near the end. Obviously I can't detail to you what goes on towards the end, but I'll tell you that if the ending was decent I'd probably scored The Babadook with something like 7 or 8 stars. With how it went, 3 is all that it deserves. You can check it out for the novelty, but at least be aware that all things considered it is going to suck.

The Depths of Despair...

[Xstal · 8/10 · 28 October 2022]

There's a demon likes to get inside your mind, if he enters he can be a bit unkind, takes you down a winding path, a quite determined sociopath, doesn't care what trauma that he leaves behind. It's the kind of shade that's often caught alone, the recipient may feel they don't belong, an imposter in their world, wearing a mask fully unfurled, all life's treasures we take for granted, simply gone.

A stellar performance from Essie Davis in a film that will get you thinking about the effects life's challenges present and how you deal with them, albeit through the eyes of one possessed by demonic urges they can't control while becoming a silhouette of themselves.

Interesting...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 28 December 2015]

Don't let the movie's somewhat silly title discourage you from watching "The Babadook". If you like a proper horror movie that is driven by an interesting storyline and good acting then "The Babadook" should be on your list to watch. It doesn't, however, unlike many other horror movies, rely on shocks and to make you jump in your seat tactics. And that is what makes this horror movie stand out.

The story is about widowed Amelia and her son Samuel who are trying to cope with the tragic loss of husband and father. When introduced to a children's storybook titled Mister Babadook, Samuel starts acting strange and claiming that the babadook is around him. Slowly as unexplainable things start to occur, Amelia realize that they are indeed not alone.

While "The Babadook" is not the ultimate scarefest, then it is definitely a horror movie that you should take the time to watch, because director Jennifer Kent really managed to build up suspense slowly throughout the course of the movie. But a lot of credit goes to Essie Davis (playing Amelia) and Noah Wiseman (playing Samuel) because their acting performances were just amazing.

One thing that I was missing more of in the movie was more scenes where we could have seen more of the mysterious babadook creature. Sure, having limited exposure for it adds to the suspense and mystery, but it would have been so much more entertaining if we had gotten more footage with the babadook.

"The Babadook" was a much needed addition to the horror genre. I was genuinely entertained and surprised with how good this movie actually was.

Beyond the Creeps

[billygoat1071 · 10/10 · 17 September 2014]

At first glance, The Babadook may sound like a tale that warns people to not let children put creepy stories up into their heads. It may also be like one of those old horror movies with children being influenced by the ghost. The titular monster seems to have the potential of being a silly urban legend, such as Slender Man or the Hash Slinging Slasher (sorry about that), that is destined to be flooded with fan fiction, or simply just another horror movie icon, but the film surprisingly has a different aim than just scaring the audience. It might as well be a character study of a mother having a hard time moving on after the tragedy she's been through losing her husband and trying to raise her only son. The real horror doesn't come out that quick, but there is already a pretty compelling movie when it come to its characters. The tension is just the prize for being intrigued by the story's core. One thing people must know about the film is it's not generally about The Babadook monster. In spite that the antagonist has an ambitiously great campy design and his story is told well by a twisted storybook with wondrously illustrated diorama, the movie is still laden on the more human element of the tale, which is the struggle of a mother who is unable to live normally. The pacing of her life may move too fast for the film, but the sadness and deprivation beneath those regular troubling days are totally manifested even without extending any of its breathing. The plot mostly concerns Amelia finding a way to overcome Samuel's behavioral issues and her memories with the accident than dealing with the whole supernatural threat, for sure it is trying to build some slow burn, but even without that horror movie sense, it still feels like they're being tormented by life. It deliberately takes their personal grief seriously, making sure that they actually aren't insane, and nobody else could ever understand what they're going through. This is pretty much the most compelling view of the film, which makes them reasonably trapped into their own nightmares. Mister Babadook only becomes the boiling point of the ordeal. And when it hits to the part of the real scares, it sells well whenever the monster attacks. Instead of loud lazy jump scares, it rather spreads away signs of his presence and its effects to the family. His appearance has more terror if he's lurking in the shadows. It also has a nice use of practical effects to endure its very effective creeps. The performances of the two leads are outstanding for bringing the real heart of the picture. Essie Davis embraces the character, making her fear, depression, and shifting madness all visibly genuine. Same to the young Noah Wiseman who as well gives his character's actions some sense of anxiety. Some horror fans might get slightly disappointed for not giving The Babadook monster enough of the characterization he deserves. The other story is a lot more interesting to follow than his diorama tricks, and that is why I keep stating that the the movie is best viewed as a gloomy fairytale about a mother and a son fighting to keep a hold of themselves and promise to protect each other from the odds, even if the promise doesn't always apply, than just another horror movie being shown in our theaters. While it still has the right amount of admirably campy scares, the film often explores to the larger and much affecting side of the story, and that sure offers beyond than what you expect to this stale genre.

Not what it was made out to be

[neil-476 · 7/10 · 3 July 2016]

Amelia has a small boy who is an utter nightmare - hyperactive, somewhere on the autism scale, full of obsessive compulsive behaviour - plus she is exhausted and hasn't really processed her husband's death. A bedtime story book called The Babadook turns out, it appears, to summon a genuine nightmarish entity. Or does it? I missed this when it first came out - a genuinely scary horror film, it said, one of the best horrors for years.

Sorry, but it falls short, possibly on the basis of false advertising. It is nicely creepy, with a sense of enveloping dread, and the cast are all very good, especially young Noah Wiseman as a truly annoying little boy (but then, he's supposed to be). Had it been staged (and advertised) as a psychological thriller, then it would have been utterly successful. However, it is sold as, and turns out to be, a horror movie, in which endeavour it is considerably less successful. In particular, it promises much and delivers little, and it has a dumb resolution. Still, at least it didn't have one of those unconvincing shock endings which turns everything on its tail.

And it was so nearly really good.

Annoying Characters ...Sorry- but it was not so great!

[kriskaiser · 3/10 · 31 October 2014]

All in all, it is a full feature length movie, that is actually based on a 2005 Short Movie called "Monster" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0466566/?ref_=tt_rec_tt) The Short Movie had good Effort- but the Movie "Babadook" has not.

Sorry to say, but the mother character really would need help up from the Start. Essie Davis looked to me like the Jack Nickolsen Charakter in Shining- already Loony from the Beginning. And every Move felt like she would be on Drugs. I just waited for saliva to drip out of her mouth corner. The Kid character played by Noah Wiseman is so annoying, I want him to get hurt or "smash his head to the wall" like even his Movie Mom want's to do in her later "Possession". Spoiler Alert; Mom is totally off the line- even poor Doggie does not get out alive. She opened the "Badadook Book" and Evil is taking her Soul. Clever Kid is using combat skills to prevent getting killed. At the end- See "Conjuring" and many other Movies- burp up some Slime- and lock the evil Spirit in the Basement; (A scene just like in the Short Movie) If you get a Chance- watch the 2005 Version and avoid the long term- please get it over with- Movie. I'm a big Horror and Mystery Fan- but sorry- "The Badadook" did not creep up on me.

Great Australian horror film

[peter_tucker-596-25932 · 8/10 · 7 June 2014]

You've heard of feel-good films, well this is not one. It's creepy and disturbing pretty well all the way, a good old horror fantasy with a nod to the psychological canniness of Nightmare on Elm Street but much more economical in terms of special effects, casting and I would imagine budget. It nevertheless maintains tension and atmosphere along with some high-flying dramatic sequences from the actors which bear comparison with The Exorcist. The plot also connects nicely with the psychological and existential conflicts facing a single mother whose son's birth coincided with the tragic death of her husband, and the whole nasty Babadook phenomenon, and its unresolved outcome, can certainly be read as an allegory of this traumatic event. Maybe it's over-reading to say the film also contains a Nietszchian lesson about the importance of embracing every aspect of one's life and history, no matter how horrific - but it works for me. The acting is amazingly good from the two leads, although the supporting characters are a bit stereotyped, a directing decision presumably. Sets and locations are charged with a bleak gloom, and the colour accordingly verges on monochrome. Love the specially made children's book, and Mr Babadook's physical character, as well as the wonderfully curated vintage movie footage appearing throughout on the TV screen. And a special word for the very fine intricately crafted sound design.

Knock knock knock...

[compactdiscaz · 7/10 · 5 July 2015]

This film is more about human emotion - grief, anger and despair - than terror or jump scares. The Babadook takes an everyday concept, bedtime stories, and makes it into something we can fear, not dissimilar to what The Ring did (for me, the top modern horror).

Like several films of its genre, what we do not see is often more eerie than what we are shown. I felt the ending let the film down somewhat, but I know that many will disagree with that. I have read opinions of the ending and still feel that there was too much symbolism; the 'monster' concept was more successful than any readings that the conclusion prompts.

Overall, I would recommend watching The Babadook. This is a psychological thriller with a good premise that makes you think, which can be somewhat of a rarity in horror.

Good ideas but sadly went nowhere with them

[doorsscorpywag · 5/10 · 31 October 2014]

The movie had some good ideas and the two lead actors were very good especially mum.

I thought the book idea was really good but the director never used it to ratchet up the suspense and it ended up going up in flames.

I liked Mum's novel way of gaining access to her sons locked bedroom. And there were several other good ideas that sadly were never explored.

The young man was a bit over the top but did a good job. As mum went bonkers his reactions to that were believable so well played the little one.

The story could have done with being fleshed out a bit more. OK it looked like the Babadook preyed on people who were depressed due to a misfortune and eventually destroyed them. But this was never done that well really and there was little or no real suspense considering they lived in a creepy house.

The ending made no real sense. You'll never get rid of the Babadook unless you scream really loud at it. The final basement scene was never explained and seemed trite.

Overall a neat little movie worth a watch but the high ratings here and the hype surrounding the film are undeserved.

The Babadook: Not Just Another Monster Under the Bed

[bsball-69546 · 7/10 · 27 March 2017]

Jennifer Kent aims to explore the psyche of the anxious in this one of a kind film. While this movie lacks the originality of the "monster under the bed" idea, the innovation comes alive when we as an audience realize the monster is created from our minds. The American horror genre traditionally will keep one, and only one, living creature safe: the children. However, the Babadook pushes that norm to its limits. While Sam does not ever actually ever become a victim, the bloody corpse of Sam from Amelia's vivid imagination is real enough. Of course, it is the imagination of the mother, the monstrous feminine, which is the true monster. While the Babadook can put on a funny hat, smile, and pretend everything is normal, the suppression of anxiety can lead to a horrifying creature when the cap is lifted. This is similar to how Jack Nicholson becomes the monster in The Shining (1980). The Babadook can also creep up on us, getting closer and closer if we do not slow down and look around. By the way, the monster can also be created through the lack of sleep as most of us can relate to. This film also throws into question the validity of rationality in regard to the thoughts of the mentally ill. Do we disregard the warnings of the mentally handicapped because of their condition? Or do we consider them to be geniuses because they have such a nontraditional thought process? Most might gravitate towards the former, but Kent might suggest the latter may true as Sam warns his mother many times of the monster Amelia is turning into. I appreciated Kent's suggestion to slow down and take a break from our anxious lives periodically. After all, the best way to get someone to listen is to scare them into doing it.

A ferocious performance at its centre, but still nothing special.

[Sergeant_Tibbs · 6/10 · 8 December 2014]

I've never been one for horror. I enjoyed last year's The Conjuring and the tongue-in- cheekness of 2012's The Cabin In The Woods, but they're still throwaway entertainment to me. The Babadook seems to have been building a lot of prestige for what it is. Perhaps that's because it's an independent film operating on a better level than what Hollywood calls horror these days. While I appreciate that the film is an allegory for grief, stress, and the demons of a widowed mother dealing with a difficult child, it definitely shows that more effort has gone into its conception, but it suffers from being very silly sometimes. The problem is that the film is inexplicably rushed. It may have a grungy atmosphere, but it lacks tension from such quick edits. It builds relentlessly without a satisfying payoff. That said, Essie Davis gives a terrific lead performance. I'm not quite sure about her angry outbursts, but the rest is striking and poignant work. The Babadook is a decent horror film thanks to its lead, but already overcelebrated.

6/10

This contains spoilers!!!

[alfloyd-99528 · 8/10 · 27 March 2017]

The Babadook perfectly explores the true horror of grief and all of its ugliness. From the very beginning, the audience is placed in the routine of a mother plagued by the loss of her husband and the needs of a troubled child. The film clashes the issues of Amelia's need to feel loved and how grief does not only effect one person. Samuel feels like an outcast from not having a father, and tries to compensate for the attention by acting out and demand for attention that it pushes the viewer and Amelia off the edge. This interaction of misplaced emotion is the hidden grief personified as the Babadook. Sam is tormented by the Babadook and tries to fight it as Amelia tries to pretend that it does not exist, as most adults do to put on a happy face. The Babadook constantly references underneath because that is where it is festering, to grow and grow until you snap. The snapping point is when you let the anger in, and you become the monster that has cultivated in your head. The mother is literally invaded by the Babadook as she cannot ignore it any longer. Amelia is only able to expel the monster because of Samuel's offering of support and care to let Amelia finally address her own inner demons. But it does not get rid of the Babadook. That is because grief will never go away. You will always know the pain and have these demons in the back of your head, and it is up to you if you let them control you. Amelia takes control and sends the Babadook back underneath where it belongs, but with a cost. Demons require to be feed to stay subdued and calm.

a scary film

[Gordon-11 · 2 April 2016]

This film tells the story of a woman who lost her husband in a cast accident. She raises her son who has serious behavioral problems. One day,they find a children's story book home,but it contains chilling images and disturbing messages. Gradually the messages become real, and their lives assets in horrific turmoil.

The story is simple, but it's horrifying. It does not use cheap thrills or gore to scare. It's all psychology, all seemingly in her head, until the very end when the story takes a slightly different them. I enjoyed ensuing it. I heard good things about the film, and I'm not disappointed. The actress playing the mother must have been in much distress because her role requires her to be in constant distress.