Director: Jennifer Kent
Writer: Jennifer Kent
Genre: Psychological Horror, Drama
Starring: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney
Runtime: 94 minutes
Language: English
Awards: Best Horror Film at the Empire Awards; nominated for an array of accolades, including Best Actress for Essie Davis.
The Babadook is an intricate and disturbing tale of horror that seeks to define a world ravaged by grief, trauma, and the inseparable bond of maternal affection suffocated in the depths of supernatural terror. It was produced in the filmmaker’s feature debut, Jennifer Kent. More than conventionally done, the film engages with its audience by building tension, creating a feeling of eeriness throughout the movie, accompanied by a monumentally noble effort from Essie Davis.
The Babadook does not ask us to bind our self into a casket of the unnamed monster fabricated by the real world. Rather, dive deeper into the human psyche and explore the suppressed grief and mental illness bound by layers of horror. It’s a deeply shaking film that hooks the viewer even before the credits begin to roll, earning a spot in the list of most critically acclaimed horror films of the decade.
Plot Summary
The story follows Amelia Vanek (Essie Davis), a single mother still coming to terms with the sudden death of her husband, Oskar who died in a car crash while bringing Amelia to the hospital where she was about to give birth to their son Samuel (Noah Wiseman).
At the age of six, Samuel is a challenging child – fixated on monsters, haunted by nightmares, and prone to violent outbursts. His unpredictable behavior estranges both him and Amelia, who is struggling to cope with her profound sorrow, financial problems, and the burden of being a single parent.
One night, Samuel discovers a peculiar red book titled Mister Babadook on his shelf. While reading it, they soon learn that the story has a sinister twist – once a Babadook is invited in, it will be impossible to get rid of. Now, the frightening shadowy figure contained in the pages of the book terrifies Samuel, who slowly starts to believe in its existence. Initially, Amelia disregards his fears, but soon after, odd things start to occur in their house.
As Amelia becomes increasingly exhausted and paranoid, she starts to connect reality with her distorted perceptions. The Babadook, who feeds off grief, begins to manifest in ways that are truly terrifying, and the more she tries to ignore it, the stronger it becomes. This shift in focus strengthening the film’s climatic point psychologically and emotionally. Now, Amelia has to face not only the horrifying being that shrouds the realm of her nightmares but the darkness within herself.
Themes & Symbolism
- The Babadook as Depiction of Grief and Depression
The Babadook is a perfect image representing grief because it depicts grief’s all-engulfing nature. The monster is a figure that embodies Amelia’s incompletely resolved grief caused by the loss of her husband which Amelia tried to bury deep within herself for years. The Babadook is an entity that must be taken care of or managed, rather than ignored or obliterated. Like grief, it can never be destroyed.
- Single Motherhood’s Struggles
Emilia’s bond with Samuel plays a crucial role into why the film is so deeply emotional. Her frustration and resentment reaches a boiling point, capturing the harsh realities of raising a challenging child on one’s own. The horror elements exacerbate these feelings, making the film equally a psychological drama and supernatural thriller.
- Exercising Control and The Fear of Losing It
Amelia’s instability is amplified by the film’s pacing. She gradually blurs the lines of view points between the monster and the victim. Her outburst of anger and violence towards Samuel demonstrates the horrors of parental burnout and resonates more to extreme stress than rage.
Classic Gothic Horror Influences
The movie is inspired by earlier horror visuals. The Babadook had an unusual sound which calmed the audience, but framing and camera Angle which was very similar to Dr. Caligari raised much tension. The Babadook itself, with its elongated fingers and wide-brimmed hat, reminds one of a classic ominous figure, amplifying the movie’s horror.
Performances and Character Analysis
Essie Davis as Amelia
Davis’ performance was nothing short of exceptional where she made jaw dropping transitions from being vulnerable to horrifying. She exhibits everything from the exhaustion and hatred of a mother pushed to her limits, to Jimmy’s own unconditional overly protective love for her child.
She received critical acclaim in abundance and was termed a likely winner of the academy award, but unfortunately her efforts seem wasted because oddly enough these films do not win awards for depiction of horror.
Noah Wiseman as Samuel
Wiseman astoundingly and convincingly plays Samuel, the energetic and frightened child plagued by anxious tendencies which drives his unnerving behavior. His performance has an authentic feel to it and watching the character act out his emotional struggles makes him identifiable beyond just an archetypal ‘creepy child’ tragic horror.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (Certified Fresh)
Metacritic: 86 (Universal Acclaim)
As with many films, The Babadook faced many disputes, some arguing with its emotional horror and others appreciating the outstanding performing stealth.
Positive Reviews
The Guardian referred to it as “one of the most frightening horror films of the 21st century.”
RogerEbert.com said, “Tentacles loses its viewer completely, which is a prerequisite to survive a masterclass of psychological horror, where fear is the most exercised emotion.”
The Empire Magazine put it as the Best Horror Film of the Year 2014 for its clever combination of supernatural horror and emotionally driven plot.
Controversy & Cultural Impact
The Babadook accidentally became a movie icon of the LGBTQ+ community when Netflix mistakenly placed it in the section of LGBT Movies. The Internet loved this mistake and created memes while transforming Babadook into a queer symbol.
The movie has been analyzed multiple times within the context of trauma and horror as a mental health metaphor in academic and psychological circles.
Behind-the-Scenes & Production Notes
Jennifer Kent, the director, adapted her 2005 short film “Monster”, which has the same theme of frustration taking a bodily form.
The Babadook was inspired by Red Skeleton’s design of the early silent horror films, especially German Expressionism (Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari).
The creepy pop up book sold to fans after the movie’s release was a one of a kind artifact since there are only a few copies that were handmade.
Originally set in South Australia, the film’s location is deliberately vague to allow a breathtaking fairy-tale appeal.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?
In this case, The Babadook is vital for horror aficionados who enjoy depth of emotion woven into the narrative. It’s less about bloodshed and shock-inducing jumps, instead freedom and panicked anticipation is cultivated through brilliant sound, visuals and acting.
You will enjoy it if the following fits your interests:
☑️ Evolving psychological thrillers (Hereditary, The Witch)
☑️ Horror themed films with heavy emotional undertones
☑️ Symbolic, deep, and complex storytelling
☑️ Mood and character driven horror
You might want to ignore it if:
❌ Your taste is in higher tempo, packed with action horror films
❌ Unclear conclusions or metaphorical narratives annoy you
❌ You want something beyond continuous feeling of panic and dread
Similar Movies to Watch Next:
Hereditary (2018) – Another horror exploring grief and family trauma.
The Witch (2015) – A slow building period horror filled with psychological themes
It Follows (2014) – Creeping horror that revolves around symbolism.
Under the Shadow (2016) – Persian horror that enhances reality through supernatural and political themes.
Final Verdict: A Modern Horror Masterpiece
The Babadook is not simply a horror movie; it is an emotional and psychological experience. The Babadook uses supernatural features to weave a powerful tale about grief, mental illness, and the darkness that permeates humanity. Out of the decade’s best horror movies, Jennifer Kent’s sobering text is one that no fan of intelligent sentiment-driven horror can ignore.
