Probably one of the strongest and most effective horror films, if not the strongest and most effective, ever produced since the start of the century is the Babadook. It centers on the development of both the issues of the mother-son relationship, and the introduction of a new kind of fear designed with a looming and formidable presence of a mysterious figure. However, this horror film does not rely on jump scares to introduce fear to the audience, but it develops a strong storyline that is presented with both psychological and physical fear. Overall, this film is an incredible masterpiece that brings hysteria and sorrow, and is considered as one of the most disturbing and nervous horror films ever created.
Unlike any other horror films, the Babadook is a one-of-a-kind horror film in such a way that it differs from a lot of horror films. The Babadook does not have a lot of jump scares to introduce fear to the audience. Instead, the fear is delivered through the storyline as it centers on the hysteria and sorrow of the main characters, Amelia, played by Essie Davis, as the mother of Samuel, played by Noah Wiseman, and the introduction of the creature named Mr. Babadook. The story progresses as the mother, Amelia, develops some kind of psychological behaviors that could have brought about by the loss of her husband, Oskar, and the pressure of raising Samuel as the kid may have some sort of behavioral problems. The personalities of the two main characters were a big help in creating the progress of thrill and horror aspect of the movie. Amelia haven’t recovered entirely from the death of her husband, and so, her character seemed depressed, while Samuel seemed like a disturbed child as he often talk about death, fixates on creating weapons to protect his mother, and violently outbursts.
At first, the story was just like any other innocent mother-son relationship. However, the loss of the father left Amelia depressed, while Samuel developed behavioral problems. Thus, the kid had the habit of reading books, and acting like it was true. And so, after Amelia reads him the book entitled Mister Babadook, the kid was so convinced that the creature in the book, named Mr. Babadook, is stalking them. The behavior of the kid eventually crawled up to his mother’s attention that, later in the story, Amelia started to see weird things, and act weirdly. Weird things started to happen, such as Amelia’s hallucination and paranoia, until it was established that the creature Mr. Babadook actually existed.
The scenes of the movie also focused on the events that were happening in the house between the mother and the son. At first glance, Amelia and Samuel’s house was like any harmless old suburban house. However, the production designers of the film had stylized the interiors of the house, although subtly, for a close to reality effect. The cinematographers of the film also considered adding tricks, like bathing the rooms in themes with murky grays, blues and mauves, for heightened effect as the color palette adds significantly to its ambience. Lastly, the sound design is very sharp as it uses unsettling sounds until panic takes hold. The combination was a success, proven by the criticisms of various movie critics.
Overall, the movie is an internationally acclaimed horror movie, named by some critics and movie magazines to be one of the most effective horror films this century. The story brings both psychological and physical fear, presented by the personalities of the two main characters and the introduction of the creature Mr. Babadook. In the end, the movie can be seen to be a metaphor, a film with an underlying symbol. Nonetheless, the movie is one of the best horror movies I have ever watched, and I highly recommend this to any horror movie fans.
Reference:
Kent, Jennifer. (2014). Babadook [Motion Picture]. Australia: Causeway Films and Smoking Gun Productions.
