Fantastic Fest 2014: THE BABADOOK – The Review

On the surface, THE BABADOOK is about a mysterious children’s book character that come to life to haunt a mother and her child. The dark creature almost has no distinguishable characteristics aside from a ghastly grin, long, sharp fingers and a top hat. It may sound like a straightforward idea but it is writer and director Jennifer Kent’s handling of the material that makes this film so memorable. THE BABADOOK may be the scariest horror film of the year, but at the same time it is so much more. Beneath the slow-building dread lies a classic tale of a woman coming to terms with her own demons. Depression, regret, and life as a single mother are all examined in a thoughtful manner that elevates the film to a Polanski level of horror – especially in a way that recalls Catherine Deneuve in REPULSION or Mia Farrow in ROSEMARY’S BABY.

Essie Davis as the forlorn widow is a revelation. Every step and look she displays carries a heavy sadness. As the storybook creature becomes more of a burden on her and her child, she delivers an even more complex performance. A third act that could have easily gone too far in the realm of hysteria feels all the more disquieting in the hands of Davis. It’s not an exaggeration when I say that Essie Davis delivers one of the best female performances I’ve seen in a horror film.

Cinematographer Radek Ladczuk is careful not to let the Babadook himself overstay his welcome. Most of the time, the dark creature is barely seen emerging from a shadow or a dark corner. There are even a few clever sequences where Ladczuk and Kent hint at just the shape of the creature through everyday items and clothing – like an unnerving sequence involving Davis going to a police station. The simple silhouette and unsettling sound effect that emits from the creature is the stuff of nightmares.

Between the cold, almost black and white photography, and slow building dread, THE BABADOOK feels like a classic tale of psychological horror. Jennifer Kent brings out a strong performance from the talented Essie Davis, but it’s her approach to real life anxieties and everyday horror that makes THE BABADOOK a must-see for non-horror fans and horror fans alike.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5