The Babadook

Rating: 4/10 (26 March 2018)

Megan Kelly
SPOILER ALERT:
It is fair to say that the Babadook will genuinely have you checking underneath your bed and in the shadows before you fall sleep. This film turns a children's bedtime story into a monster in the night. Prepare yourself for the psychological and thrilling nightmare that dives deep into the mind. Amelia is mentally drained from the tragic events that struck her family. Meanwhile, her son, Samuel is coping poorly with his father's passing. Amelia is unable to move on from her husband's death. With the burden of loss and stress, Amelia's mental and physical state is hindered, leaving her susceptible to the Babadook. The audience questions whether this Babadook is from Amelia's inability to move on from tragic events or whether it is her husband, Oskar taking over her control. This film illustrates that depression or grieving can damage your mental state and leave the mind open to any dark avenues. Director, Jennifer Kent uses the Babadook to symbolize the recurring feelings of hopelessness and losing someone close to you. The Babadook grows stronger the more that Amelia denies his existence, just as grief does until it is dealt with. Until sadness is confronted, it will keep coming back and eventually consume the mind, just as the Babadook did. The audience will take away from the film, that dealing with these emotions could be crucial for one's health instead of delaying the inevitable.