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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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
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Critic Reviews for The Babadook
All Critics (215) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (211) | 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
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
Having everything that is missing from modern day horror films, "The Babadook" reassures us that even though the genre may be on it's way out, it is not quite there yet. Beaming with fantastic cinematography, every shot in this film has a purpose toward eeriness feel that it is going for. What really stood out was the genius editing style that cuts from the focus of the scene to something totally out of left field that contributes to the characters emotions. The story is also very powerful, as a book is found by a little boy, his mother reads him to sleep with it, only to bring a creature into the house know as "The Babadook." The deep meaning behind the creature is really the core of this story and by the final act, I was blown away at the originality of such a basic premise. Not only is this one of the best horror films in years, but it is also eligible for one of the best films of 2014 in general. My only complaint with this picture is that once it picks it's unique tone, it doesn't go too far beyond it, which I think was needed. Overall, a brilliantly executed horror film.
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! |
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