What is The Babadook?
The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent. It follows a widowed mother and her troubled son, who are haunted by a sinister creature from a children's pop-up book.
Essie Davis plays Amelia, a mother still grieving the death of her husband, who died in a car crash on the way to the hospital when their son was born. Noah Wiseman plays her son, Samuel, whose behaviour becomes increasingly difficult.
When a mysterious book called Mister Babadook appears in their home, strange events begin. The film uses the creature as a metaphor for grief, depression and the pressures of parenting.
Reception
The Babadook premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014 and was praised by critics worldwide as one of the best horror films of the decade.
It shared the award for Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, and Kent won awards for directing and writing. The film was made on a modest budget, partly funded through crowdfunding for its art department.
In 2017, The Babadook unexpectedly became an internet meme, with fans jokingly calling the creature an LGBTQ+ icon after a streaming service mistakenly listed the film in that category. The film inspired a wave of thoughtful horror films that explore grief and trauma.
Did You Know?
Jennifer Kent developed the film from her short film Monster, made in 2005.