Watch The Babadook

The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film directed by Jennifer Kent. The story follows a mother and her young son as they struggle to deal with the trauma caused by the death of their husband/father. The mother, Amelia, played by Essie Davis, is a struggling single parent who is trying her best to provide for her son, Samuel, played by Noah Wiseman. However, Samuel's persistent nightmares and violent outbursts begin to take a toll on Amelia's mental and emotional well-being.

The movie introduces us to the character of Samuel, a young boy who is obsessed with magic tricks and spends most of his time building weapons to fight imaginary monsters. Samuel is an annoying child, who screams and throws tantrums, but is also very vulnerable and scared. His character is a product of his circumstances, which make him restless and anxious. He is convinced that there are monsters hiding under his bed and in his closet, and his mother's attempts to calm him down are often in vain.

Amelia is a struggling working mother who works as a caregiver in a nursing home. She is still grieving over the death of her husband, who died in a car accident the day Samuel was born. Amelia's life is a never-ending cycle of work, taking care of Samuel, and trying to keep up appearances. Amelia is in denial about her own grief, and the stress of taking care of Samuel begins to take a toll on her mental health.

One night, Samuel picks a mysterious pop-up book titled 'Mr. Babadook' for his bedtime story. The book tells the story of a monster called the Babadook who's dark and ominous presence causes terror and chaos in the life of his victims. Samuel becomes obsessed with the book, and soon, the pages seem to come to life. Amelia dismisses Samuel's fears as childish, but soon, she begins to experience the same horrors that her son has been seeing.

The Babadook is a horror film that is as much about the psychological trauma caused by grief and mental illness as it is about the monster under the bed. It is a film that explores the struggles of modern motherhood, the challenges of single parenting, and the oppressive weight of grief. It is a film that makes the audience question the nature of reality and the boundaries between sanity and madness.

The Babadook is a movie that is made on a tight budget but makes excellent use of its limited resources. The film makes creative use of shadows, sounds, and light to create an oppressive atmosphere that envelops the audience. The sound design is particularly impressive, building tension and atmosphere throughout the film. The film's visual style is heavily influenced by German Expressionism, with its exaggerated angles and contrasted shadows.

The acting in the Babadook is one of its major strengths. Essie Davis gives an exceptional performance as Amelia. As her character's grip on reality starts to slip, Davis's performance becomes more and more unsettling. Noah Wiseman, who plays Samuel, on the other hand, is very convincing as an annoying but vulnerable child. The chemistry between the two actors is excellent, creating a sense of intimacy that makes the film's conclusion all the more impactful.

The Babadook is a horror film that offers much more than just jump scares and loud noises. It is a movie that deals with themes that are universal and relatable, and it does so in a way that is insightful, engaging, and ultimately harrowing. The film is a slow, subtle build-up in tension that leads to a satisfying and emotionally stirring conclusion. It is a movie that resonates long after the final credits have rolled.

The Babadook is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 86.