The Babadook (2014) Review – A Masterclass In Metaphorical Horror
The Babadook: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A profound and terrifying exploration of grief that effectively redefined the landscape of modern “elevated” horror. The Babadook succeeds by grounding its supernatural threats in the very real, often unspoken anxieties of motherhood and loss. Jennifer Kent’s debut is a masterclass in atmospheric dread, anchored by a career-defining performance from Essie Davis. While some of the practical effects have aged slightly in the decade since its release, the psychological impact remains undiminished. It is a 4 star essential that demands to be seen, not just for its scares, but for its brave and unflinching look at the human condition. It is quite simply one of the most important Australian horror movies ever made.
Details: Director: Jennifer Kent | Cast: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall | Runtime: 1h 34m | Release Date: 22nd May 2014
Best for: Fans of psychological thrillers, those who appreciate horror as a metaphor, and anyone looking for a film with genuine emotional weight.
Worth noting: The book featured in the film was actually created specifically for the production, using intricate pop-up designs that enhance the story’s fairytale-gone-wrong aesthetic.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 4/5 Stars
(Superb lead acting, deep thematic resonance, and legitimately chilling atmosphere.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today’s movie review is for the debut feature film of Jennifer Kent: The Babadook from 2014. This is an Australian horror so here’s an obligatory plug for my list of 20 Awesome Australian Horror Movies.
Table of Contents
Metaphorical horror frights
Following the story of a grieving woman, Amelia (Essie Davis), attempting to cope with life as a single parent after losing her husband in a car accident. The Babadook is a psychological horror movie featuring a haunting creature known as the Babadook terrorising Amelia and her son night after night.
“The Babadook’s deeply metaphorical story of grief and the struggles faced by women while raising children has led to an onslaught of this type of horror.”
There isn’t a tremendous amount to be said about this movie that hasn’t already been said. I feel like the absolute first thing that I should point out is the impact that The Babadook has had on horror cinema as a whole. The Babadook‘s deeply metaphorical story of grief and the struggles faced by women while raising children has lead to an onslaught of this type of horror.
We have covered a bunch of movies that feature metaphorical monsters and allegorical stories and much of that is due to The Babadook. Elevated horror is very en vogue due to this movie. Relic is a really good example though it is one of many. The Babadook has done for metaphor-heavy psychological horror what Paranormal Activity did for found footage. Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate but it is here to stay.
A story of grief and loss
The Babadook‘s themes of grief and loss are easy to relate to. And the movie offers a perspective on parenting, especially from a woman’s point of view, that doesn’t get talked about often. It takes risks with its portrayal of a mother struggling and shows a side of having a child that is not foreign but is spoken about in whispers. The side that sometimes consists of resentment and regret.
This is the type of horror movie that absolutely couldn’t have been made by a man and it stands out for that. Jennifer Kent’s personal and affecting script and story demand attention. Deserving tremendous praise for how effectively it works and how it speaks for a group of women that feel as though they can’t speak for themselves.
A genuinely great horror
As a horror movie, The Babadook is extremely effective. It is scary in parts, consistently tense and features a pulse racing final 15 minutes. It also works on many levels as it is not simply about monsters and things that go bump in the night. It’s about that very specific dread that comes along with the human condition. The dread of not living up to what society expects of us and the dread of not being capable of managing day to day life.
“It takes risks with its portrayal of a mother struggling and shows a side of having a child that is not foreign but is spoken about in whispers.”
Acting is absolutely fantastic. Essie Davis is tremendous in the lead role and does a perfect job of relating the trauma of Amelia’s situation. Noah Wiseman is talented way beyond his years. He is ultra confident and his performance really helps to highlight just how difficult Amelia’s life really is.
Special effects are minimal but some of the stop motion, to be honest, looks pretty hokey. I feel like the movie has aged a ton in just ten years. The creature design is extremely reminiscent of 30s horror and also conjures up memories of The Judder Man. But some of the creature’s appearances are reminiscent of something you would see on a YouTube video. I am sure this is partly deliberate but I am not sure if it completely works.
“Essie Davis is tremendous in the lead role and does a perfect job of relating the trauma of Amelia’s situation.”
Luckily The Babadook uses a less is more approach so the rather janky looking animation isn’t a huge problem. I wasn’t a fan of some of Kent’s shot choices. One, in particular, during the final few minutes is simply awful. The perspective work is awkward as all hell at times. This is a generally well shot film, though, despite this. The script is great and really gets into the nuance of Amelia’s extremely complex situation.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Thematic Depth: The exploration of grief and suppressed resentment is handled with a level of maturity rarely seen in the genre.
- Essie Davis: A powerhouse performance that carries the film’s emotional burden with total conviction.
- Sound Design: The skittering, guttural noises of the creature create a palpable sense of unease throughout the house.
The Bad
- Ageing Effects: Some of the stop-motion and creature glimpses look a little janky by modern standards.
- Perspective Work: Occasional camera angles and shot choices, particularly in the finale, feel slightly awkward.
The Ugly: The Raw Truth of Motherhood. The film’s most disturbing element isn’t the monster, but the honest portrayal of a parent’s capacity for resentment when pushed to the absolute edge.
Should You Watch The Babadook?
Yes, absolutely. It is a 4 star pillar of modern horror that proves you don’t need a massive budget to leave a lasting mark. While its “elevated” style has been imitated many times since, the original remains one of the most effective and affecting examples of the style. It is a haunting, beautiful, and deeply scary movie that deserves its place in any Halloween marathon.
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Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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