Film: The Babadook

If it's in a word. Or it's in a look. You can't get rid of...the Babadook.

Director: Jennifer Kent
Writer: Jennifer Kent
Cast: Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Tim Purcell

The Babadook ☆☆☆☆.5 

Via IMDB: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Going into this film, I thought it was another Mama. Del Toro's film isn't bad per-se, but there wasn't a scare factor. At all--very similar to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Both of those were geared toward children and thus frightening them and not their adult audience. Thankfully, Babadook attunes to adults and children alike. I will point out, though, there is a masturbation scene, so you know, decide if the kid(s) should watch or not.

Amelia is a single mom working at a retirement facility and with a son, Samuel, who's the devil. This is not a "Hail Satan!" moment (I mean, I guess if one wanted...). A fat portion follows Amelia attempting to wrangle Samuel in: off the top of a swing set, screaming in the car, shooting a fellow student with a dart, and pushing his cousin out a tree house. Did I mention he's only six?  

Samuel has a fear of a monster living in his room (in the wardrobe, under the bed, doesn't matter to Samuel). And so, Amelia doesn't get much sleep, especially after Samuel finds Mister Babadook on his bookshelf. She asks, "Where did you get this?" in which he responds, "I found it on the shelf." If that wasn't enough for a mother, who didn't buy the damn book, the actual book's narrative should. This moment is, perhaps, my favorite of the film. 

 
 
 

do-not-sit-next-to-dennis

After more devil-child shenanigans, the book continues to appear after multiple destroying attempts. We are then left with the idea of whether the Babadook actually exists or it is Amelia in her sleep deprived hysteria? Are we going to have a Hide and Seek ending? Is she going to stab Samuel to death? That's the beauty of this film.

Via monkeysaysficus: If you’re a gore hound, or you like your horror movies fast and furious, this movie is not for you. If, however, you are a fan of slow-burning, shivers under your skin, gonna think about it over the next few days, horror movies, then this is your Next Big Thing.