DVD Review: The Babadook

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Do you want to die?

Amelia (Essie Davis) is a single mother who is still struggling with the death of her husband 7 years later. He died on the same day her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman) was born. He has behavioral problems that she refuses to get diagnosed, but is also growing tired of handling them herself. When a mysterious book called 'The Babadook' shows up at their house, and Samuel becomes obsessed with seeing the monster, Amelia begins to wonder if there's not something more at play.

I think this might have been the most hyped horror movie I've heard of in awhile. It got nothing but glowing reviews last year, and of course came nowhere near me. After watching it, though it does hit a lot of horror cliches (Kid sees monster, kid is teased, kid pushes accidentally hurts and arguably brattier kid) the message itself is what makes this film stand apart.

This film isn't about supernatural monsters, it's about grief. It's about dealing with grief on your own without any help. That was Amelia's biggest problem. This film is expertly cast. Davis and Wiseman are absolutely perfect and natural in their roles. I didn't find the film to be scary, but it did have some creepy imagery. This didn't bother me because in the end, I didn't think that was what this film was about.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "I can't stand to be around your son." - Claire (Hayley McElhinney)

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 29, 2015 at 3:12 PM

    Thank you for this - yours is the first review that makes me think I might actually be brave enough to watch it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Candice FrederickJune 29, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    oh yes the imagery was amazing. plus, i loved the story. so much there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 30, 2015 at 7:13 AM

      Yes! It says a lot more than most horror movies like this would.

      Delete
  3. MyerlaJune 30, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    To add to the grief I think Amelia is very lonely and possibly sexually frustrated. Personally, like yourself I didn't find the film too scary but found Ameila to be a very interesting central character and Essie Davis was superb.

    Good review, good reviews.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 30, 2015 at 7:13 AM

      Thank you! I definitely agree about those points you brought up too. I felt really bad for her when her son interrupted her. That has to be frustrating.

      Delete
  4. m.brownJune 30, 2015 at 9:29 AM

    I really liked this one, mainly because of the performances of the two leads (that kid was unsettling. It also looked fantastic too (pretty f'n creepy at times, no?).

    But...as you've said, it did manage to nail each of the typical horror movie tropes, which a little bit of a bummer, I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJune 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM

      The casting in this was perfect for sure. It's a good thing that this film still succeeded despite those tropes.

      Delete
  5. JoshJuly 24, 2015 at 4:56 AM

    Dook. Dook. I liked this one, too. Davis was brilliant, but I thought Wiseman was terrible. Still, it was a very suspenseful, if somewhat overhyped, film.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJuly 24, 2015 at 7:30 AM

      Wiseman definitely wasn't a strong actor, but as a kid with behavioral problems, I thought he was very believable.

      Delete

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