I'm Not a Fan of the Horror Genre, This One is Worth It

Rating: 7/10 (14 March 2015)

I've always found the horror genre uninteresting since many films within the genre seem so similar and because their sole purpose is give the audience a thrill rather than convey a good story (I guess you can make a similar argument for comedy). This being the first horror movie I have seen in a while, I have to say I am glad to see it. It's good, but still doesn't live up to the hype I heard from a few different people.
The Babadook is scary in regard to suspense rather than by moments meant to startle, which I find predictable and boring. My heart would race as I saw part, but not all, of the titular Babadook, waiting and bracing myself to see what is "underneath." I highly prefer this type of thrill to the "startling" horror movie. What makes it even better is it was able to do this with an independent budget - well done Jennifer Kent.
My favorite sequence, and the sequence I was most frightened by, is when the book Mr. Babadook reappears and is put back together with new text, threatening the woman and her child. In fact, it was the most disturbing, yet simple, moment I have experienced in horror films in a long time.
However, I don't give most horror movies a chance, and there are aspects within the Babadook that convey why I pass on watching horror movies. First, the kid is super annoying. The point of the character is for him to be annoying/a burden to his mother, but his acting is terrible. I don't care if he's a kid; actors are meant to convey distinct character, and this kid just whined no matter what emotion/mood he was meant to convey in the moment.
Also, towards the conclusion, the mother finds out this creature is a spirit, and just happens to know that if she can get this spirit in the basement she can tame it like a pet. Where did this knowledge/success come from?
I really liked the theme of trust in this movie - the kid struggles with whether he should trust his mother or not since she is clearly possessed by the Babadook from time to time. It is satisfying to see the woman and her son in a once again happy relationship, but this movie seems formulaic to the horror genre at times.