Review of The Babadook (2014) by Zack M — 24 Sep 2015

An Australian-made psychological horror film, The Babadook, focuses on the lives of a mother and son after the untimely death of the father. The mother, Amelia (played by Essie Davis), cannot get over his death and refuses to let her son, Sam (played by Noah Wiseman), even have memories of him. Due to this approach and what some may even call neglect, Sam never is able to fully develop and understand the situation, which results in him having extreme behavioral problems. He believes that there are monsters that are after him and his mother and creates potentially lethal weapons all in an effort to protect them.

Wiseman does a fantastic job playing a kid who we, quite frankly, do not like very much. Often times, Sam is continuously screaming during the movie, vying for attention that his mother simply will not give him. It can get rather annoying but his role is necessary for the movie. Over time, we begin to feel for Sam because we realize that he simply just feels awful about himself but not quick enough.

One night, Amelia lets Sam pick out any book that he wants to hear her read to him before bed. Sam returns with a rather large, bulky red book entitled "Mister Babadook." Initially, the book is rather playful, simply telling the two where the Babadook comes from but then, the tone changes. Bone-chilling and horrific pop-up images of the Babadook come from the book and the two begin to see him everywhere they go.

Jennifer Kent, the director of the film, deserves a bunch of credit for finally creating a horror movie that does not rely on cheap jump scares for its terror. The Babadook uses psychological tension to create its suspense and Kent does a great job at making the audience feel uneasy. Every shot from the movie is carefully planned out and has a hair-raising effect. Dark hallways, old trees, and the simple outline of clothes have never been scarier.

One scene that specifically stood out to me was the actual reading of "Mister Babadook." The images that were inside the book, paired with the eerie score, and Davis' voice reading the words, was extremely well done and actually caused myself and the people I was watching it with to get goosebumps.

While the film does take quite a bit of time before actually allowing the audience to see the Babadook, it is still entertaining. Once one actually sees the Babadook, it is not an image that the mind is likely to forget. Do not be surprised if you start seeing him when you are about to close your eyes to go to sleep, just standing there, lurching in a corner.

Thanks largely in part to a brilliant acting performance from both Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman, the movie will keep you on the edge of your seat and have your hair standing straight up. It is best watched with all of the lights out and late at night. The final showdown alone gives it the award of being one of the best horror movies in years.