Dir. Jennifer Kent | Now Streaming On: Tubi | Rating: 5/5

As I sat down to write this review, I realized that The Babadook is a film that disturbed me so deeply, I have no desire to watch it ever again. There is something so unnerving and raw about the subject matter and storytelling of this film that I have found impossible to shake even 8 years after watching it. ⁠
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The Babadook addresses a horrifyingly real and taboo topic, grief and the pressure of motherhood. Throughout the story, we watch the pressure of raising her son absolute crush Amelia, driving her to madness. Mister Babadook may be a creation of director Jennifer Kent’s imagination, but the events of this film are a harsh reality for many parents. The idea of hating your own child, especially for the role they play in the death of your spouse, is rarely addressed.⁠
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I can barely describe how emotionally disturbing the imagery of this film is. Mister Babadook wreaks havoc for Amelia and Sam, ruining their lives and isolating them from the little support they already have. The monster was created using a stop-motion effect, which makes its movements, gestures, and voice so otherworldly and unnatural. On researching the origins of Mister Babadook, I discovered he was inspired by The Man in the Beaver Hat from the 1927 film London After Midnight. If you don’t plan on sleeping tonight, try googling that one for funsies. ⁠
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The biggest critique of The Babadook is how insufferable the character of Sam is. Some viewers were so irritated by his screeching fits, they couldn’t sit through the film. And to that I say, yeah that’s the point. Kent knew exactly what she was doing when she directed the part of Sam. Though this movie gave me MANY sleepless nights, I can’t ignore the sheer power of this storytelling. ⁠
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Know Before You Watch: Features blood, animal death. ⁠