The Babadook

The trailer to Jennifer Kent's low budget The Babadook is as mis-leading as it gets, portraying what appears to be a balls to the wall horror film where a mother and her young son get terrorised by a mysterious creature called Mister Babadook. Obviously from a marketing point of view the film had to be advertised in such a way, but there are actually very few moments of terror throughout the running time, so I can understand how scare veterans have been a bit miffed by being wrong-footed when watching this. However, what the The Babadook (or Baba-duk as the Aussie intonations on show here would have it) is, is a breath of fresh air in these times of constant cinematic gore and jump shocks. The plot concerns widower Amelia (Essie Davis) and her attempts to control her son Samuel's (Noah Wiseman) erratic behaviour following their reading of bedtime book Mister Babadook. It soon becomes a stand-off between the two; Samuel is convinced that Mister Babadook is real and is out to get them. Amelia tries to suppress his outbursts, especially in terms of limiting embarrassment when around her family. However, it isn't long before Amelia herself begins to experience odd events that can't be explained. To say anything more is to give the game away, but though the ending is ambiguous, it becomes fairly clear around halfway through what is really going on. It spoils the film slightly, but it does mean you'll want to go back for a further viewing just to confirm the theory. I always like to give the benefit of the doubt to debut directors and Kent knows what she's doing here in manipulating abiding suburban anxiety in which the hint of supernatural gives voice to the real fears and anxieties of an individuals psyche. The actual "horror" in the film comes from Kent's script where she addresses the unfeeling side of human nature from adults who haven't experienced bereavement of a loved one not understanding why people "just can't get on with things" to some of the worst verbal taunting that children spit at each other. Though there's also some moments of high comedy, particularly when social services come round to check on Samuel's well being. Davis and Wiseman are both great in the lead roles, their love for each other shining through, even in some of the film's most disturbing moments. Overall this won't be for everyone and the ending is a bit limp. However, if you're after a film that contains a scene involving the most unsettling pop up book you'll ever see then this is for you. Oh yeah and clear your throat as well. All together now: "Ba Ba Doooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkk...". Rating: 8/10.