Original and Intensely Unsettling

Rating: 7/10 (4 November 2014)

The Babadook is an indie film out of Australia so it's understandable if you haven't heard of this one. Essie Davis plays Amelia. The mother of a very troubled child. Sam. We join the family 7 years after her husband died in a car accident. And it's very clear early on that the relationship between mother and son is not very strong at all. Watching as she curls up on the opposite side of the bed after her son has a nightmare is heartbreaking.
But all this is made possible thanks to a powerhouse performance from Essie Davis. The other actors around her have spotty performances but Davis delivers an Awe inspiring one. She displays the characters grief and pain beautifully. Without her even speaking it's apparent what she has gone through and is going through.
But the meat of the story is served up about 30 minutes in when Sam has his mother read a book about a monster called The Babadook. This is where the film gets intensely creepy and unsettling. It reminds me of the classic film Alien. Using atmosphere to it's advantage. I was terrified for nearly half the movie and You really only see the Babadook a spare few times. But listening helplessly as he whispers his name in a deep throaty voice is instantly nerve racking.
Not only is the Babadook incredibly disturbing but Essie Davis is as well. I won't give anything up but man, he scared the pants off me near the end of the film. Even with all this going on movie has the balls to make you question everything that is happening. It truly is a superb and ambitious Psychological Horror. The only downside is the ending feels a bit unsatisfying. But hey, you can't get rid of the Babadook.
Overall The Babadook is an emotionally heavy movie with some real depth to it. Not to mention a truly impressive and unnerving performance from Essie Davis. The Babadook could quite possibly be the best Horror movie of the year.