Where there is imagination, there is darkness and from within that darkness lurks a being of unimaginable terror…close to home.
Amelia, is a single mother plagued by the violent death of her husband. When a disturbing, story book called ‘Mister Babadook’ turns up at her house she is forced to battle her sons seated fear of a monster. Soon she discovers a sinister presence all around her…
I was sceptical, when I first decided to watch The Babadook. Honestly, I thought it was going to be another over done horror, hiding behind special effects for chills and riding the tail coat of movies such as the Conjuring and The Omen. I was wrong!
Happily, I have to say, I really enjoyed watching The Babadook, and will so again. It holds a steady pace that will leave chills running up your spine. Its realism only adds to the enjoyment and credits the believability of the film.
Essie Davis, stars as Amelia, a single mother haunted by the death of her husband nearly 7 years ago. Although she loves her son, (beautifully played by Noah Wiseman) she seems withdrawn from him and the ones around her, who are more consumed with their own lives. As her son Samuel, ‘indulges’ in his ‘monster’ belief, Amelia (like any good mother) tries to dismiss them as what they seem to be, a child’s fantasy. Eventually Samuel’s behaviour becomes more aggressive as he tries to warn his mother and protect her. Eventually, they are shut off from their loved ones, who are so occupied elsewhere, blaming Amelia for her son and his actions.
It’s not until they read from the book, (suspiciously found) The Babadook, that Amelia herself, begins to experience strange occurrences. It starts with a series of knocks, Ba – Ba – Dook, then whispers and strange noises. Eventually Amelia begins to see it, as she did in the book. Eventually she is consumed by the Babadook, a creature that you cannot simply get rid of.
Like all well made possession movies, This Babadook follows the basic principles of possession, feeding of pain, misery and terror, it’s key into their home. With the help of her son Samuel, she is the only one that can dispel the Babadook from her body, before she kills her son. After all, he is what the Babadook wants.
Eventually the Babadook is expelled, but once you let it in, it will never leave, so instead it lives under the stairs, being fed worms, soil and grubs by Amelia, who takes responsibility for her Babadook.
It is definitely a movie worth watching and lives up to it reviews by Time Out New York who said, ‘There goes your peaceful night sleep’ and At the Movies who said ‘I was truly blown away.’ So, tuck up tight, turn off the lights, and enjoy the terror of The Babadook.