Plenty of creeps and chills

Rating: 9/10 (22 April 2015)

A friend of mine recommended "The Babadook" when I asked him "What is the last movie that scared you?"
And I have to tell you, this one scared me also (not easy to do.) There are some typical elements to the story - creepy sounds in the house - a little boy seeing something horrible that the Mom cannot see, etc. BUT this one is so much more.
One of the things I liked most about "Breaking Bad" was seeing Walter White's slide into depravity - this one starts strong with an interesting, but very disruptive, crazy kid and ends up as a portrayal of a Mom sliding into madness and desperation.
The make up on lead actress, Essie Davis (the Mom) was terrific - when she finally goes to the police and asks for help, she looks and sounds like someone just escaped from an asylum. Now, many Moms of young boys will identify with this - as her son (and the Babadook) are literally driving her insane. The boy, Noah Wiseman, is brilliant - it is amazing how a boy so young can play a role so convincingly. During the film he turns from antagonist (driving Mom nuts) to victim (of Mom and the Babadook.)
FInally, this is a treatise on books NOT to read at night to your children. Interestingly, I had a discussion just today with my 8 year old granddaughter about movies she should not be seeing. Clearly Mister Babadook is not a book to be read to children. With a big nod to "Nosferatu" and "Dr. Caligari", the Babadook creature is cartoonish, but terrifying.
And at the end there is a "Shaun of the Dead" type twist.
There are about 5 or 6 scenes which chilled my spine - and one particular kitchen scene. I hope you watch it - one of the better ones in recent years. DonB