The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological supernatural horror film directed by Jennifer Kent, and the cast includes Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Barbara West, and Ben Winspear.
The Babadook is a film that is rooted in tragedy.
The family in the movie had a tragic event happen that shapes their present circumstances, and that event that occurred is the death of the father, who passed away while transporting his wife, Amelia, to the hospital to give birth to their son, Samuel.
This event serves as the foundation for the grief and trauma experienced in The Babadook.
Amelia, the mother, carries a heavy burden of resentment towards her son, Samuel, as he was born on the same day his father died, and Amelia struggles with the conflicting emotions associated with his birth.
The film is filled with awkwardness and tension, showcasing the strained dynamics within the family, in particular the resentment felt by the mother, combined with the grief and trauma experienced by both Amelia and Samuel, and as you watch the movie you witness the strained interactions and the emotional toll it takes on them.
Amelia's inability to let go of her grief and move forward with her life is a central theme in the film and the presence of The Babadook, symbolizes the unresolved trauma and grief that continues to haunt them and it represents the lasting impact of their loss and the inability to escape from it.
When The Babadook book enters the picture, it quickly becomes a significant element in the film.
The book serves as the catalyst for the events that follow, as it tells the story of The Babadook, a creature that cannot be rid of, and this book is more than just a fictional tale; it becomes a tangible representation of the darkness and grief that haunts the characters.
At first, Sam's fears and concerns are dismissed by those around him, including his mother, and she believes that he is just a scared child with an overactive imagination, but as the story progresses, it becomes clear that The Babadook is not just a figment of his imagination.
The creature begins to infiltrate their lives in more ways than one, transforming from a mere bedtime story character into a menacing and real threat.
The transformation of The Babadook into a real threat mirrors the growing grief and trauma within the characters, and it represents the unresolved emotions and pain that they have been carrying with them for years.
As it becomes more present and visible, the characters are forced to confront their inner demons and face it head-on.
One of the most powerful aspects of the movie is the portrayal of the mother's resentment towards her son, Samuel.
Throughout the film, the impact of possession on the mother's behavior is very evident and the Babadook's presence exacerbates her already deep-seated resentment, causing her to lash out at her son in moments of anger and frustration and this possession amplifies her negative emotions, intensifying the strain in their relationship.
The film skillfully explores the mother's anger and frustration, showcasing the toll that grief and trauma can have on a person's mental and emotional well-being and The Babadook becomes a manifestation of her own internal struggles, representing the darkness and pain that she carries within herself.
Her anger and frustration are portrayed with raw intensity, as you witnesses the consequences of her outbursts and the detrimental effect they have on both her and her son.
And as the film progresses, we also see moments of regret and remorse, and after The Babadook's possession is resolved, she realizes the harm that she has caused and the impact it has had on her son and this realization leads to a profound sense of guilt and a desire to repair their damaged relationship.
The movie delves deep into the themes of grief and trauma as mentioned, and The Babadook itself serves as more than just a horror creature, it is a metaphorical representation of the unresolved trauma and grief experienced by the characters.
The Babadook symbolizes the lasting impact of loss and the inability to escape from it.
It is a physical manifestation of the darkness and pain that the mother and son, carry within themselves.
It is a symbol of the darkness that they cannot escape from and that their grief always lingering and always present and ready to resurface.
The role of the husband in the film is quite significant as well and plays a major role.
The Babadook even takes on the appearance of Amelia's husband at one point, representing her inability to let go of her grief and move forward with her life and the husband's presence, even in this form, reminds Amelia of her loss and the pain associated with it.
She also experiences physical pain throughout the film, particularly in her jaw. This pain symbolizes the emotional anguish that she carries due to the loss of her husband and s serves as a physical manifestation of her unresolved grief and the burden she feels towards her son.
Both Amelia and Samuel struggle with the pain of their past, but ultimately, they find a way to coexist with it.
The ending suggests that they have come to terms with their loss and have learned to move forward, although The Babadook will always be a part of their lives.
The film also utilizes music and sound to great effect, enhancing the overall sense of dread and unease.
The score, composed by Jed Kurzel, is haunting and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie tone of the film and the music serves as a subtle layer that adds depth to the scenes, heightening the tension and creating a sense of foreboding.
The abrupt transitions between scenes, accompanied by silence, just heighten the anticipation of what might happen next, and these moments of silence also allow you to fully absorb the atmosphere and become immersed in the film's unsettling world.
The Babadook is a good film, not quite on the levels of say Hereditary as you will know from my review how much I love that movie, a film with similar themes.
It has some good moments, and some of you will be rooting for The Babadook as the child, Samuel, is highly annoying in a purposeful way, but it also adds to the story with regards to the mother, as well.
But shit, I'd go fucking crazy having to put up with him 24/7.
But seriously, it captures the psychological toll of grief and trauma really well, portraying the lasting impact it can have on individuals and their relationships.
It is more than watchable and decent.
I would rate this film 72% on my horror movie nerd-o-meter.
[The Babadook on IMDB.] [Where to watch The Babadook]
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