The Babadook2014
The Babadook (2014)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: The Babadook relies on real horror rather than cheap jump scares -- and boasts a heartfelt, genuinely moving story to boot.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Amelia
as Mrs. Roach
as Robbie
as Claire
as The Babadook
as Samuel
as Supermarket Mom
as Prue
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 2
as Oskar
as Young Policeman 1
as Police Sergeant
as Car Guy
as Warren
as Doctor
as Teacher
as Bugsy
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 3
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 1
as Eastern Suburbs Mom 1
as Ruby
as Kissing Woman
as Magician
as Supermarket Little Girl
as Kissing Man
as Principal
as Checkout Chick
as Young Policeman 2
as Fast Food Kid 5
as Norma
as Fast Food Kid 2
as Fast Food Kid 4
as Beverly
as Old Woman in Corridor
as Fast Food Kid
as Fast Food Kid
News & Interviews for The Babadook
Critic Reviews for The Babadook
All Critics (221) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (217) | Rotten (4) | DVD (3)
A deftly inventive and psychologically charged horror story that trades on the ways in which the prospect of maternal failure can be just as fearsome a boogeyman as any monster under the bed.
The film has a solid grasp on the mutable, but ever-present pain of loss.
The line between terrifying reality and terrifying fantasy isn't so much blurred as altogether obliterated.
This simple yet shiver-inducing tale, the auspicious feature debut of Australian writer/director Jennifer Kent, makes for one of the better horror movies of recent times.
It presents grief as a demon, questions reality, and creeps out the viewer by making psychopathology seem like something that could happen to anybody.
At its heart, "The Babadook" is a story of mother and son, whose relationship ultimately determines whether they survive the demon - or die trying.
Audience Reviews for The Babadook
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.
Super Reviewer
It is always a wonderful surprise to see an intelligent horror film with such profound psychological and emotional scope, making use of a rich symbolism to tell the story of a woman who succumbs to her own inner shadow and is forced to confront it as it takes over her sanity.
Super Reviewer
The final sequence's sheer terror makes up for a couple of flaws throughout. The Babadook is a suspenseful, clever horror film that is driven by its ominous mysterious & shrouded figure which is inventive and modern for today's genre. 4/5
Super Reviewer
The Babadook Quotes
| Samuel: | Momma I'm hungry. |
| Amelia: | If you're that hungry then go eat your shit! |
| Amelia: | Where did you get those fire-crackers? |
| Samuel: | You got them for me on the internet. |
| Amelia: | Well that's the end of the internet. |
| Samuel: | He's my father! you don't own him! |
| Samuel: | He's my father! You don't own him! |