Genre:
Horror, Drama, Thriller
Distributor:
Icon Film Distribution
Release Date:
16th February 2015
Rating: 15
Running Time:
93mins
Director:
Jennifer Kent
Buy:The Babadook
Amelia’s (Essie Davis, The Matrix Revolution, Girl With A Pearl Earring) husband died whilst driving her to the hospital to have their son Samuel (Noah Wiseman). 6 years on Amelia is at a loss whilst she struggles to discipline and connect with her out of control son. Samuel is impossible to get to sleep, he’s forever having nightmares and they routinely have to check underneath his bed before he goes to sleep.
Then one day a disturbing storybook called ‘The Babadook turns up on Samuel’s bookshelf that tells of the coming of this dark spirit. He’ll knock three times, and once he comes in, he’ll never leave. This then sends Samuel further down his erratic path, he starts carrying menacing looking weapons, gets suspended from school and pushes his (rather annoying) cousin out of her tree house. Amelia is at a loss but when the Babadook finally comes to the house, she starts to realise that maybe her son is not as disturbed as she originally thought.
The folk law and storybook fantasy of the Babadook is done in a way that makes it feel very classic. It has a familiarity about it, like it’s a story which has been with you for a long time. It’s instantly quotable and memorable, it will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching it. The film also has elements of subtley aware dark humour, showing Amelia’s life and the misunderstood attitudes she has to deal with.
I particularly liked the journey that the characters go through and seeing how both Amelia and Samuel finally work together to support each other in dealing with the Babadook and the loss of their husband and father. If you took away the supernatural, the film could almost be about Amelia’s own psychosis of her turning against her son, because of her loss. Amelia is so unsupported by her friends and family and pushes away anyone whose shown her kindness, despite the visit from the Babadook, she was probably due for a breakdown. The way that Samuel goes from being an annoying little shit to what he becomes is also quite magical. The message that actually a child that’s acting out, just needs to be listened to and taken seriously.
I’ve heard people complain that this film isn’t scary enough, I think in some way those people are missing the point about what this film is about. This isn’t a horror film in the traditional sense, it’s a film about loneliness and the after effects of losing someone. That being said, I’m more a fan of ghosty supernatural stories than anything too gruesome and gorey so for me this film was satisfying. If your tastes are a bit more bloodier than mine, then you may be left a bit cold. I suggest you make your own mind up and enjoy one of the most hyped up horror films of 2014. Just remember don’t let the Babadook in, else you’ll never get rid of him.
★★★★
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