Review #28 - The Babadook (2014)

"Why don't you go eat shit?"

Total Score: 15/23.

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Now I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen this film in a long time. I reckon the score should probably be updated, but I’m not sure where, and one day I’ll have to give it another watch. For now, let’s get into it.

As some of you may know, a few of my reviews are rewrites based on old notes made after my first ever watch of these films. This is one of them.

First things first, the movie is pretty fucking creepy. You are never quite sure how much of it is actually happening (until the end). Essie Davis is superb, and her slow transition from protagonist to villain is super fun to watch, and dead scary too. Her performance is believable and painful as she struggles with trauma, grief and the challenges of single parenting.

The book is a great touch. Puts me in mind of horror podcast The Magnus Archives (there’s a whole thing about Sutter Kane style eldritch books). Visually, it’s an excellent prop, and the pop-up design is the cherry on top. It is a well written piece in that it sticks in your brain, especially the knocking.

On a less positive note, I hate to say this but the physical manifestation of the Babadook is not for me. Davis brings a brilliant physicality to the monster, and her possession is just stellar - but mostly the monster (in its true form) resembles a Spirit Halloween bargain-bin mannequin. Hot Topic Willy Wonka - the Johnny Depp version.

This is literally just a fella.

The slow reveal of the father’s fate is well done, and adds that obligatory misery that permeates a lot of modern horror. It’s a solid twist overall.

I will say though that this isn’t the best metaphor for grief I’ve seen in horror. The film deserves accolades galore, but not necessarily on this front. I feel I missed something - is a big dark figure that ruins your life and drives you mad particularly clever? Not being shitty here, but I dunno man.

(Also, bring me the boy is horrible. Love it.)

Regardless, the film is unpleasant and intense. At times, it’s even hard to watch. You really feel for Noah Wiseman as the little boy - and that poor dog. The film is also visually memorable, despite the lacklustre Babadook.

Anyway, as ever, thanks for reading,

Until next time,

H.E.

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