A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her (www.imdb.com).
Director: Jennifer Kent
Starring: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman
The Babadook is full of surprises. It's easily the greatest horror film of 2014, but there was little competition to match it. It plays on all fears, like a bundle of nightmares rolled in to one. Initially Amelia's (Davis) son Samuel (Wiseman) has an imaginary friend, The Babadook. Samuel is psychologically torn by the lack of a father, so it's only natural for a child in such a state to be mischievous, that is, until The Babadook starts 'telling him' to do malicious things. Davis is in amicable form as the mother, struggling to bring up her son on her own and trying to lead an ordinary life. The more she tries to ignore the lurking monster, the more powerful it becomes. It integrates itself into her subconscious, keeping her awake and playing with her mind. The Babadook isn't overly scarey, but a horror film that can build in suspense without the viewer realising it makes you think about it long after it's finished. The low ambiance and sleep deprived mother, juxtaposed with Samuel's happy-go-lucky attitude is sublime yet difficult to digest. Fixation mixed with dislike sums up The Babadook.
4/5
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