TAD Review: The Babadook- Don’t Let It In!

When I walked into the theatre to see The Babadook, I couldn’t help but think to myself that I was being completely sadistic. Admittedly, I am a big chicken. I love horror movies, but I usually watch them from the safety of my couch with a blanket ready to protect me and a stiff drink within arm’s reach; but on this particular night I was in a sold out theatre. Leaving would be the ultimate walk of shame. I was trapped and I was scared much like Amelia and Samuel in the film, I had no escape. Fortunately, even though the next hour and a half was terrifying, it was also beautiful. The Babadook turned out to be an excellent film, one I greatly enjoyed. It takes place as Amelia (perfectly portrayed by Essie Davis) loses her husband in a violent accident. She and her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman) are trying to get by, but Sam struggles with an overactive imagination and is difficult to manage, a problem that is amplified one night when they stumble upon a creepy picture book.

Like the creature in the story, The Babadook is haunting. Jennifer Kent makes a resounding debut writing and directing her first feature film and sets herself as someone to pay attention to in the future. She is a master of establishing tension. Not a single moment of film is wasted, every detail contributes to the atmosphere or to the story. As the film opened and the imagery washed over me, I marveled at the beauty of the world Kent had created. The over exposed frames heavily contrasted with deep shadows show a worn house of exposed brick and wood. The house looks haunted before the Babadook ever makes an appearance. Amelia’s pallid skin, her hair always in a state of undone betrays her internal state as she tries to cope with her son’s struggles. Then there is the mysterious picture book that tells the Babadook’s story. It’s stark black and white art is what nightmares are made of. All of these elements set up the tension and I spent the entire first act anticipating the moment when I would jump out of my seat.

It didn’t take too long for the Babadook to make his first appearance and scare me out of my wits. Not because the creature itself is frightening, but the tension ran high and the scene was unsettling. The Babadook only appears in shadow, and is never fully seen. There are flashes and glimpses of hands, his hat, a strange shadow, but never the entire creature. His shadow itself is menacing, it looms over you filling the entire frame of the image as you watch the movie and you feel Amelia and Samuel’s immediate danger. The Babadook has a distinct posture and silhouette that is echoed in various set pieces throughout the movie, creating an ominous and inescapable presence.

Although the Babadook was terrifying, he was not the most disturbing part of the film. The performances given by Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman help complete the movie. Without their terror, the audience would have nothing to fear. I was entirely unsettled as I watched their situation spiral out of control, and Amelia come unhinged. Davis’ performance becomes progressively more disturbing, and as I watched her fear escalate I felt that there was nowhere safe for her to turn. The plot is perfectly paced with her performance; a slow and tense build up to the climax. Like Davis, Wiseman gives a solid performance. His fear is palpable and despite his character’s behavioral problems, he is easy to empathize with. He is wide-eyed and seems innocent, but unlike his mother he can see the threat approaching. In a strange twist, he is a voice of reason which evoked even more of my sympathy for him.

Despite my initial terror, I was thrilled by The Babadook. It was a beautiful example of independent film making and what a passionate film maker can do. What is even more remarkable is that the movie was funded by a Kickstarter campaign. The film is a visual feast that successfully employs tension and psychological elements to create a terrifying experience. Admittedly, I am a chicken and horror movies can be difficult to watch, but I do not regret a moment of The Babadook, it is sure to become a favourite of horror fans and cinephiles alike.