I will be watching Jennifer Kent very closely from here on out.
The Babadook is the story of a single mother, her troubled child and their encounters with a malevolent spirit. Amelia struggles with the death of her husband and the grief that it brings her - as it happened on the day their son, Samuel, was born. Samuel gets into trouble at school, and loves magic. A book suddenly appears, one foretelling of a thing known as the Babadook. What begins as a childhood obsession with monsters becomes a nightmare for Amelia as the evil spirit moves in and tries to take over their household.
At its core, this is a scary children's fable. What elevates this are the various themes at work here - maternal obsession, despair, and fear. Is the spirit real? Is it an imagined antagonist? I love the complex nature of the story and how it retains its vision while adapting many interpretations. It really is up to the viewer of how to accept Amelia's struggle.
Essie Davis and little Noah Wiseman are commendable as Amelia and Samuel. They are perfectly cast as mother and son.
I loved this movie. It has great atmosphere and eerie imagery. It also has a good bit just underneath the surface. I enjoy a film that makes you think, especially when it has scary monsters in dark corners.
A SOLID 4 out of 5 Khans!
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