Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
If it’s in a page, then it’s in a look. You can’t get rid of The Babadook.
Last year’s most frightening flick is now on Netflix and waiting to scare the bejeezus out of you. From first-time director Jennifer Kent comes a disturbing tale of loss, grief, and the terror of having an unwanted presence in your home. Single mother Amelia (Essie Davis) struggles to keep it all together for her troubled young son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who can’t help himself from lashing out. Their only quiet comes at night during story time when Amelia slowly lulls her restless son to sleep. But when Samuel picks out a mysterious, authorless pop-up book titled Mr. Babadook, a sinister tenant moves in for good, drawing out Amelia’s inner demons that threaten her and Samuel’s safety.
Based on Kent’s equally terrifying short film, Monster, The Babadook is a tense, spooky thriller that draws upon classic haunted house tropes and adds a smart psychological and visual twist that feels as if The Shining met The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Currently holding a 98% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Babadook hit theaters back in November and has been referred to as one of the best horror films of the decade. From its exquisite directing to its superb acting (seriously, you won’t believe Noah Wiseman’s acting chops for being such a youngster), the film strikes an emotional chord that resonates beyond your typical scare, making us fear not what might be hiding in the closet but rather what’s hiding deep in our subconscious.
Do yourself a favor and add The Babadook to your list tonight, but we don’t recommend watching this one alone. To get you prepped for what’s ahead, watch Kent’s short film that inspired her feature below.
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