The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook is a slow-burning psychological horror about Amelia, a widowed children’s author struggling to raise her troubled son Samuel after the trauma of her husband’s death. When a mysterious, pop-up picture book called “Mister Babadook” appears in their home, its grotesque illustrations and menacing text seem to awaken something in the house — or in Amelia’s mind. As the book returns again and again, the boundary between reality and nightmare blurs, and mother and son are pushed to the edge by paranoia, sleeplessness, and growing violence. Watching The Babadook is an experience of creeping dread rather than cheap shocks. The film builds tension through claustrophobic domestic spaces, stark shadowy cinematography, a haunting score, and brutally intimate performances (especially from the lead actress). It’s as much about grief, trauma, and the crushing demands of motherhood as it is about a supernatural intruder, so you’ll feel both psychological anguish and icy fear. Expect unsettling imagery, emotionally wrenching scenes, and a lingering sense of unease that stays with you after the credits roll.

Actors: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall

Director: Jennifer Kent

Runtime: 94 min

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

5.9 /10 86 /100 6.8 /10 7.1 /10