Filled with Suspense

Rating: 6/10 (5 October 2015)

The first half of the Babadook is arguably the scariest piece of cinema I have seen in a very long time. From the time that the book makes its first appearance, the entire thing is just creepy. There is an ominous foreboding that pervades every scene, and I truly did not know what to expect, although you knew you were in for something unpleasant.
Another great aspect about the first half is that I honestly did not know if "The Babadook" was truly haunting this family or if this was a trip into the mother's psychosis. By the end of the movie, it is still not entirely clear.
I started to be less afraid once the "reveal" happened and we understood where the story was headed. It was still creepy, but I spent more time trying to figure out if she was crazy or if she was really being tormented, the thought of which added a whole new unpleasant dimension. I think there is a difference between deliberately trying to be vague and letting viewers figure it out and deliberately being confusing by putting conflicting clues. That being said, the movie keeps you hooked to the very end and I was nearly breathless as the last scene concluded, unaware of what was about to happen.
I definitely recommend this movie. It will not make you jump and scream, but I had goosebumps more than once due to how creepy it was. The second half goes a little over the top, and some will be frustrated by some unanswered questions, but trying to figure out what is happening beyond the surface of this "ghost" story is the key to enjoying this ride.