Review of The Babadook (2014) by Holly S — 10 Jul 2015

Review:

This is another one of those horror films were the people should have just left the house! It's about a woman who lives with her troubled son who are finding it hard to deal with the loss of her husband, who died in a car accident while they were on the way to the hospital to have there son. The little boy has problems at school because of his weird behaviour and his mum works in an old people's home which doesn't give her much satisfaction. Every night she tries her utmost to get her son to sleep by reading him books and they come across a book called the Babadook which scares the little boy because he thinks that the creatures is real and that he is coming to kill them. After a while, the boys strange behaviour becomes violent and unpredictable so his mum starts to look into the mysterious book which has caused so many problems. She soon finds out that her sons behaviour is connected to the book and that all is not what it seems.The storyline wasn't that amazing but I did find the movie quite entertaining because I really didn't know were the plot was going. I found the little boy incredibly brave and at the age of 7, his weapon making was top notch. The airy feel to the movie, really worked with the storyline and the relationship between the little boy and his mum was sweet and loving, before she became possessed. I really felt for the mum who was suffering with depression and sleep deprivation and when you've got a monster in the house, it really doesn't help. Anyway, the mixture of horror and drama really worked but I didn't get the ending. Watchable!

Round-Up:

It's always good when an independent movie comes together well at such a low budget. This film is based around a mother and sons relationship which is touching in parts and quite disturbing in others. Its the first major movie from writer/director Jennifer Kent who has only done a few shorts in her career. Essie Davis, who played the lead, has starred in movies like Australia, Matrix Revolutions and the Girl With a Pearl Earring but I really can't remember her in those films. She played her part extremely well in this film and she made this far fetched storyline seem real. The little boy, played by Noah Wiseman, was excellent and his annoying behaviour would have got on any parents nerves. Anyway, it's worth a watch, from many different angles and it could have easily done without the horror aspect because of the touching concept between the mother and son.

Budget: $2million.

Worldwide Gross: $5million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their drama/thriller/horrors about a mother and young son who are under attack from a evil force in there house.....The Babadook. 6/10.