Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Review of THE BABADOOK: Unexpected Horror Gem

September 23, 2014



This had happened to me two other times before. The first time was with "The Sixth Sense." The second time was with "What Lies Beneath." And this afternoon, it happened again with "The Babadook." Each of these times, I was practically the only person in the whole orchestra section of the movie theater. You can imagine, it was not only the movie onscreen I was focusing on, but I was also very wary about the dark quiet emptiness around me. But hey, don't knock it. Watching a horror movie this way is the best, since the whole experience is in more dimensions than 3D.

At first I was not thinking of watching "The Babadook." The title sounded corny. There were no known actors. The trailer was dull and unpromising. Everything about it screamed bad B-movie. Surprisingly though, when initial reviews were coming out, they were all very positive. In fact, there were even respected critics who rated it a 5/5,  very rare in the horror genre. With these excellent endorsements, I was compelled to go watch it in order to see what the fuss is all about.

Amelia is a young widow with a seven year-old son, Samuel. Her husband Oskar died violently while he was taking her to the hospital to give birth. The sweet and kind Amelia, who works as a caretaker in a nursing home, is not really moving on well from her traumatic experience, and her special child Samuel's excessive hyperactivity and monster phobia is aggravating her woes.

One day, Samuel picks out a new book off his shelf called "Mr. Babbadook". As Amelia began to read this hard-bound pop-up book, she realizes that this had disturbing images and even more disturbing words. From that moment on, "Mr. Babadook" with his top hat, overcoat, shadowy form and long sharp fingers, would insidiously insinuate itself into the lives of mother and child, until all hell literally breaks loose in their household.

Writer/director Jennifer Kent was lucky that the two actors who played mother and child, Essie Davis as Amelia and Noah Wiseman as Samuel, captured her vision perfectly. Davis was subtle and convincing in her dramatic transformation from mild-mannered nurse to a raving virago. Despite his gentle age, Wiseman was able to portray Samuel's difficult behavioral condition and his efforts to protect his mother at all costs. 

I totally see what the critics loved about this film, It was a throwback to simpler times when there were limited special effects and effective scares were dependent on the skill of the director to create these creepy moments. Whoever designed the Babadook pop-up book deserves praise because it really looked so unnerving, especially in its second incarnation. More than just the technical matters of film-making though, the director succeeds in setting up and elaborating the problematic relationship between mother and child and that was essential to make the whole film work.

During the parts when the Babadook was already exerting his negative influence on the family, the tension developed was very thick and the suspense can be unbearably uncomfortable. It was not really about scaring the audience scream silly, This film will make you reflect about the true nature of the sinister Babadook and what it represents. While it does not totally shake off its B-movie feel, especially with the awkwardly puzzling ending with the bowl of worms, but this humble Australian film definitely achieves its objectives as horror-drama with sterling results. 7/10.



27 comments:

  1. This sounds like a movie to watch with a close friend or loved one and certainly not alone! Those dark spaces you mention would have meant I never got to see the end of this movie, great review sounds like one to look out for. Thanks for sharing. Stephen

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  2. Your review enticed me to check this movie. Moreover, I would assess this film as an addition to my knowledge in telling stories because of its plot.

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  3. Mr. Babadook had a sinister presence. I think they made the portrayal really convincing that it feels like an old school scary movies.

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  4. Okay I need to watch this now thanks for sharing

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  5. Is it like a low-budget movie where there are only a few lines of characters? How's the cinematography? I think that by watching its trailer, I would not want to watch the entire film.

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  6. Oooh sounds like one scary movie! Won't watch it in the cinema, though!

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  7. I haven't watched a horror film in a long time and I used to love watching them. Also I really enjoyed the sixth sense and what lies beneath so u are tempting me to catch this if they are by any means in the same league :)

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  8. I really dislike horror films. I can't stand to watch them because I get nightmares and can't sleep for a long time after watching one.

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  9. Creepy with a capital C! I am not a horror fan at all so thank you for the review. Now I know what not to see, LOL!

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  10. Brave to stay after realising you were alone - more than I could have done !! Movie sounds indeed creepy - I need a bunch of friends to go and see it ! :)

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  11. I loved sixth sense because it was done so simply yet the suspense was maintained so well. I get the sense from your review that Babadook is of a similar make and must be enjoyable!

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  12. Oh dear. You sure make the movie sound good - but i am a real scardy cat and usually can't bear to be in a room alone for a long time after watching a horror movie.... should I, or should i not....!

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  13. I saw the trailer for this one and had the same sentiments as you. I find it amazing that it somehow changed your perspective on it.

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  14. Watching a horror film alone in a cinema is really scary. Your review of the film is good and I am now pondering if I will watch this film alone or with my wife.

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  15. Horror movie is still a no no for me if possible. LOL. But yeap, given that you say there's minimal effects, it sounds more like the actors' acting skills than anything else, which will entice me to watch it... not on the big screen though :P

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  16. interesting plot. ill need to watch the trailer and see if it has the same feel

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  17. Seriously I am not dare to read the whole review you written. I always keep horror film far apart. I don't want to sleep with fear. =( Sorry my dear..

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  18. I'm not really into horror~~~ scary!

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  19. Not a fan of horror movies nowadays, though.... hmmm, I need a partner to see this for... well, ourselves (seriously, I don't really know if I could have the guts of watching such flicks).

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  20. I love the concept of this movie, portraying the relationship between mother and son, the sacrifices made raising up a special hyperactive kid, etc. A very meaningful movie, in spite of all the other Hollywood blockbusters, I would prefer this type of movies.

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  21. Generally i don't go for horror movies, but after your review want to go for it at least one time

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  22. never heard of this movie.. checked the trailer and it seems interesting.. and based on your review, I'll be adding it to my watchlist. Got tired of watching the same thing over and over again so this movie would be a great one to add to my list. :)

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  23. It seems to be interesting movie. I am thinking to watch it soon . Thanks for this review.

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  24. Perfect movie for the coming Halloween. I am fond watching horror and thriller movies, so far the last good flick for me is Insidious

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  25. Six sense is one of my scariest movies of all, This movies sounds perfect for Halloween

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  26. I am not a horror, scary movie genre fan. I can't even go into those make believe caves during Halloween. What's the thrill?

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