Day 2 of Halloween: The Babadook

Jason: The Babadook is a compelling and refreshing horror film. This is a story about possession but not in the traditional sense. What possesses the main character is not a demon or an evil spirit, but a memory and an emotion. We spend the whole movie learning bit by bit about this woman and her son. We learn of their relationship to each other, their family, and everyone around them. And the more we know, the worse it seems. The beginning plays out very much like any other supernatural ghost story but the more things start to get out of hand, the more you realize that they were that way to begin with.The psychology behind what befalls Sam and his mother is intriguing and truly terrifying in its reality.

Artistically, this film is beautiful. It was shot on a low budget but there is not much for that to affect. The story relies on emotional response to the characters as opposed to special effects or monster make-up. The allusions  that can be found throughout the movie all point to the climax and resolution. Some of them are very subtle. The colors are almost all muted, except for the bright red “Mister Babadook” book. This, in itself, is a reference to the story and what the characters are going through.

I really appreciate this movie for its ambition and execution, as well as its just flat out creep factor!

Joel: I remember being a kid and occasionally having to pause a movie at the scary part so that I could calm down and psych myself up to power through and get to the end. But this is the first time I ever had to do that to a movie as an adult. The Babadook is a terrifying movie. Not in the “there’s a loud noise and fast movement that makes you jump” kind of way, but in the way that stays with you long after the movie is done. It’s the kind of movie that makes you not want to look at the window in your bedroom when you’re going to sleep that night, just in case. The movie manipulates it setting masterfully, making wonderful use of the shadows that exist.

Chris: First of all, that’s the most ridiculous pop-up book ever and secondly, all their problems would be solve just by simply not having kids and/or getting a good night of sleep. But trust me, if anyone understands the symbolism of grief in this movie, it’s me. I get it and I appreciate the attempt but that doesn’t mean I particularly liked this movie. 0 for 2.