A Masterful depiction of true emotional horror

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2015)

Never before have I ever felt such a powerful urge to review a movie.
The Babadook puts you in the shoes of Amelia, a single mother raising a seemingly troubled child. They are then haunted by this sinister presence known as the Babadook, which early in the story manifests itself as a children's horror story. But oh, it is so much more.
This film was cursed with a marketing team who pushed it to be a monster movie, which is unfortunately unsurprising in today's day of lazy, Hollywood jump-scare horror. Let me first begin by stating that I have never once considered myself to be a fan of the horror genre, probably thanks to the crap we are typically served and pay big bucks to see every year.
I thought this film was phenomenal. The pacing is perfect, with a slow but cumulating eeriness that makes you impressively uncomfortable. The characters are also so well fleshed-out and believable that even though I desperately wanted to stop watching by the final third of the run time, I was so invested that I just HAD to know if Amelia and her son would end up OK. The sound effects are very well timed, not overused, and will chill you to the bone. Trust me when I say that if you endure through this unnerving experience, you will be rewarded.
This film is a dark, disturbing, & masterful portrayal of deep depression and grief. It got under my skin in all the right ways, climaxing in what is probably the most emotional any film has ever made me. If you or anyone you love has ever dealt with depression, you most certainly will cry. And you will like it.
10/10. A wonderful debut film by Jennifer Kent. Im sure I will be unraveling this one for weeks.