Truly phenomenal psychological horror

Rating: 9/10 (24 November 2017)

The Babadook is one of the best horror films I have ever seen. Granted, it won't be everyone's flavor of horror and though it presents it's fair share of jump scares, The Babadook does them differently and does not rely on them to carry the film. IMO, The Babadook was marketed so poorly. The trailer prevented me from seeing it for a very long time. Monster thingy from a children's book? Meh.
BUT...once I saw it, it blew me away.
The Babadook is actually a very complex story with a multitude of layers. It is not your average supernatural monster movie. It builds tension, frustration, and dread expertly and then hits you where you least expect it to.
The acting is top notch, the cinematography is brilliant, and the mood is bleak and gritty and pulls you into the story that is unfolding.
It's a film that builds slowly while making you feel uncomfortable and impatient, but it's done on purpose. If you can sit back, let it happen and appreciate this fact, chances are The Babadook will be a worthwhile ride for you.
The Babadook does not spoon feed its audience and much is left to the viewer's interpretation but it manages to do it in a way that doesn't feel so distant or removed. It doesn't try to be scary, it simply is.
Sometimes the scariest things are our own minds.