The Babadook

2014

The Babadook

Critics Consensus

The Babadook relies on real horror rather than cheap jump scares -- and boasts a heartfelt, genuinely moving story to boot.

98%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 235

72%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 38,909
User image

Tap to review this movie

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you get your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMC (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Cinemark (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Bought somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you get your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMC (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Cinemark (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal (Coming Soon)

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Bought somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Where to watch

The Babadook Photos

View All Photos (12)

Movie Info

Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6 year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he's been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control, he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son's behaviour, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real. (C) IFC

Cast

Essie Davis
as Amelia
Noah Wiseman
as Samuel
Barbara West
as Mrs. Roach
Daniel Henshall
as Robbie
Hayley McElhinney
as Claire
Tim Purcell
as The Babadook
Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
as Supermarket Mom
Cathy Adamek
as Prue
Peta Shannon
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 2
Benjamin Winspear
as Oskar
Michael Gilmour
as Young Policeman 1
Adam Morgan
as Police Sergeant
John Maurice Sullivan
as Car Guy
Craig Behenna
as Warren
Terence Crawford
as Doctor
Carmel Johnson
as Teacher
Lise Hachi
as Bugsy
Michelle Nightingale
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 3
Pippa Wanganeen
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 1
Pippa Wanganeeh
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 1
Chloe Hurn
as Ruby
Lotte Crawford
as Kissing Woman
Stephen Sheehan
as Magician
Lucy Hong
as Supermarket Little Girl
Chris Roberts
as Kissing Man
Tony Mack
as Principal
Sophie Riggs
as Checkout Chick
Craig McArdle
as Young Policeman 2
Sophie Allan
as Fast Food Kid 5
Bridget Walters
as Norma
Isla Zorkovic
as Fast Food Kid 2
Ethan Grabis
as Fast Food Kid 4
Jacqy Phillips
as Beverly
Annie Batten
as Old Woman in Corridor
India Zorkovic
as Fast Food Kid
Charlie Crabtree
as Fast Food Kid
View All

News & Interviews for The Babadook

30 Incredible 2010s Directing Debuts That Left Us Begging For More
The 25 Scariest Movie Scenes of All Time
The 21 Masters Of Horror Shaping the Genre Right Now
View All

Critic Reviews for The Babadook

All Critics (235) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (230) | Rotten (5)

  • The Babadook, the debut feature from Australian writer/director Jennifer Kent, has all the right elements in place for an effective horror film, but ultimately stumbles when they fail to congeal.

    November 27, 2019 | Rating: 2.8/5 | Full Review…

    David Harris

    Spectrum Culture
    Top Critic

  • Is to parenting what The Shining is to alcoholism.

    October 31, 2019 | Full Review…

    Patrick Bromley

    F This Movie!
    Top Critic

  • [Director Jennifer Kent's] ability to tap into base human fears and without the aid of cheap or excessive frills only makes this simplistic narrative all the more potent. Additionally, Kent's built her scares around a strong, emotional core.

    September 12, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Nicholas Bell

    IONCINEMA.com
    Top Critic

  • The Babadook is impressive for its focused script, acting as a giant metaphor about either letting our demons take over of our lives or learning to keep them at bay, no matter how scary it may seem.

    August 14, 2019 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

    Brigid Presecky

    FF2 Media
    Top Critic

  • Filled with layers of rich meaning, two spectacular performances and whizz-inducing frights, Kent's The Babadook isn't a good horror movie; it's a great film.

    August 6, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…

    Ryan Syrek

    The Reader (Omaha, NE)
    Top Critic

  • [In 2019], it remains the best horror film so far this century.

    August 2, 2019 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

    Samuel R. Murrian

    Parade Magazine
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (235)

Audience Reviews for The Babadook

  • Jan 14, 2018
    Creepy! The Babadook can stand for so many things, of which most of us can relate.
    Super Reviewer
  • Nov 21, 2017
    If the horror genre could be summed up with one pithy saying, I imagine it might be "it's out to get you", whatever "it" might be. With this interesting take, Australian writer/director Jennifer Kent (gasp! a woman!! In horror???) offers that one's own thoughts and feelings might be the source of the terror, unresolved guilt and malignant feelings, a vibe directly from the iconic "The Innocents". The creep and subsequent attack are worthy of the genre, especially the most horrible "am I dreaming this, is this really happening?!?" staple. Good stuff.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2017
    http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/the-babadook-dir-jennifer-kent-2014.html
    Anthony L Super Reviewer
  • Dec 29, 2016
    pre-viewing had heard alot of good things about the babadook and in turn was quite expectant. the acting from both leads was good but the actual scares delivered were more on a B-movie level and, as my expectations were high, a bit of a let down. further deflating was the apparant babadook possibly being simply a metaphor for the struggle of dealing & coping with trauma. couldnt it just simply be a monster? possibly a frightening one? i think for young teenagers this is perfectly balanced but for those horror aficionados out there this is a frolic in the park.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

The Babadook Quotes

View All Quotes

Movie & TV guides