Grotesque and Cruel

Rating: 2/10 (19 May 2015)

Any movie that shows unwarranted harm to an animal automatically loses a number of points in my book. (I would have probably given the movie a 5/10 due to the incessantly annoying nature of the child, Samuel. I like kids but I couldn't help hating him, far before the Babadook ever entered the picture.) But, portraying the vicious murder of a defenseless dog was disgusting. It had already been depicted in the book - there was no need to have it play out in the movie, especially so graphically. The death of the dog wasn't necessary, but they especially didn't need to SHOW this scene. It could have been implied to even greater scare-factor. Shame on the filmmakers, and shame on viewers who use the defense "it's only a movie." That is never an excuse.
2/10 due to annoyances and animal cruelty