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The Babadook (2014) poster

The Babadook

dir. Jennifer Kent · 2014

Feature
Psychological Horror
Mood
Dark / Tense
Look
muted color palette with claustrophobic framing
Structure
linear progression with psychological depth
Plot

Amelia, who lost her husband in a car crash on the way to give birth to Samuel, their only child, struggles to cope with her fate as a single mom. Samuel's constant fear of monsters and violent reaction to overcome the fear doesn't help her cause either, which makes her friends become distant. When things can not get any worse, they read a strange book in their house about the 'Babadook' monster that hides in the dark areas of their house. Even Amelia seems to feel the effect of Babadook and desperately tries in vain to destroy the book. The nightmarish experiences the two encounter form the rest of the story.

Why watch

"The Babadook" masterfully intertwines psychological horror with the raw, unfiltered experience of grief, presenting a haunting tale of a mother and son grappling with their inner demons. Jennifer Kent's debut feature is a chilling exploration of how unresolved trauma can manifest into monstrous forms, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate horror that lingers long after the credits roll.

Cultural context
exploration of grief and motherhoodsocietal stigma around mental healththe horror genre's evolution in indie cinema

Where this shelves

every shelf · back to the store