An Amazingly Crafted Emotional Terror

Rating: 9/10 (9 November 2014)

I'm a newcomer to horror movies. I don't know all there is to know nor can I compare this film to many other like it, but when I did succumb to my inner longing to see this movie I was not at all disappointed. I may or may not be like many of you horror fans, when your in your room or at the cinema and you are watching a truly good horror movie, it's like nothing else. It's exhilarating, your heart beating like a drum, your adrenalin pumping and a light sweat beginning to appear on your brow. If you love all of those things than you must give this film a go. I bought the DVD and upon pressing play I spent nearly the remaining 90 minutes whimpering in the corner of my couch, blanket tucked tightly around myself and every now and then when things were quiet I would quickly turn behind me just to check that 'The Babadook' was not haunting my late night horror sessions. Not only is this movie scary it told a meaningful story, the themes that were explored are easily relatable and it forms these characters into living breathing human beings, they are brought to life so vividly. When you watch a film and your so invested in what is happening that you forget it's a movie, is truly a special thing. You forget about everything and you think solely about the story, about the characters and about how much you are not sleeping tonight. This you know your watching a well made film. This movie legitimately unsettled me, Jennifer Kent's superb way of crafting an atmosphere that oozed tension, this film's way of expanding upon themes such as loneliness and grief is masterful and bring with it an emotional punch. Along with an astounding performance by both Essie Davis (Amelia) and Noah Wiseman (Samuel) this shapes up as a fantastic horror movie that I recommend anyone to see, I don't care if you love horror movies or you hate them because a lot of this movie isn't about the horror there is a lot more to it and for this reason I have given 'The Babadook' a 9 out of 10.