Mini Review on The Babadook

Rating: 7/10 (23 March 2018)

Unlike many other films, The Babadook is a very clever and most interesting film. The Babadook was written and directed by Jennifer Kent, and she delivers nightmares that are specifically meant to haunt the adult minds. This film is refreshing because of Kent's decision to focus on the mother instead of the son. Yes, in the beginning, we focus on Samuels' well being and get to know him, but then we really start to get to know Amelia and watch her lose slowly her mind or being taken over by The Babadook.
Thanks to Kent's great team working on the film, created the right level of eerie in this film. Which is represent with the cold, gloomy color palette of the film that added to the understanding of Amelia's depression. And also a standing ovation to who designed the layout of the house! Just the right amount of furniture yet not too crowded, great lighting, and small rooms to give it an almost claustrophobic feeling that keeps the evil in and us feeling trapped inside.
In many horror films, many of the "monsters' represent an allegory, for example, Romero's zombies are often allegories for mindless consumerism and consumption. I believe the allegory of The Babadook is what happens when emotions, particularly grief, have not been dealt with. Since Amelia dealt with so much trauma in her life, she is in denial and has yet to recover from the death of her husband and birth of Samuel.