Review of The Babadook (2014) by Daisy E — 15 Sep 2015

I'd heard about the metaphors and symbolism involved in this film before I watched it, therefore I had the frame of mind I usually do on a second viewing which is looking out for things rather than experience it on a simple surface level at first. Which I feel like I've missed out on but at the same time, I don't think it's much as a horror film without it's subtext. With it's subtext, it's a well-written, thought-provoking, original film. It's just a shame that I found some parts jarring or slow. The kid is also so damn annoying, I struggled to sympathise. It as great to see a horror film from Australia as I felt it gave us an unfamiliarity as we're used to American horrors, however, not much could be said for it being noticeably any different other than the accents. I'm not sure if that was on purpose and they Americanised it, or I was expecting some kind of sterotyped Australia.

It's a shame you don't get to see the Babadook as I wanted to be scared more but if the revealed face had unimpressed me, it could've had a negative impact on my impression of the film as a whole.