The Babadook

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The Babadook

Released Nov 28, 2014

1h 33m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

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248 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6 year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control, he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son's behavior, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.

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Critics 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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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Nestled deep within this teeny Australian thriller packs a simple yet profound message about what it often feels like to be a single parent, and even what it feels like to be the child of that parent.

Rated: B+

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

The Babadook's villains and victims are still running amok in my brain. I think they might be there for some time.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 5, 2016

Full Review

Noel Murray

Nashville Scene

What's most terrifying about The Babadook is that Kent grounds a bizarre supernatural premise in very real feelings of anxiety and depression.

Oct 5, 2016

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Kent’s film tapped into a lot of visceral fears I had at the time as a woman living alone

Oct 11, 2024

Full Review

Calum Cooper

In Their Own League

Frightening and bleak yet also spellbinding and profound, “The Babadook” deserves to be immortalised in the canon of horror cinema alongside the very pictures that inspired it.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 20, 2024

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Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

“The Babadook” is an extraordinary horror film.

Aug 15, 2024

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Ariadne M

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Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

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Kim M

So. Boring. I wanted to skip the majority of it but didnt because I thought it would get better, news flash it didnt. The characters were all so stupid and annoying the only one I liked was the next door grandma. Its hard to get the symbolism and in the end it doesnt make much sense either. This shouldnt even be concidered a horror movie because of how unscary it is. 0/10 dont reccomend. Also the filming was horrible near the end it moved between two different types and got annoying.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

Mintu A

Worst movie I have ever seen if you want to waste your time then you should watch it . CHEAP LEVEL!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

Full Review

Lillian C

Umm. Well first of all what the heck. The child was annoying. The mother was freaky deaky. And the DOG DIED. ALSO WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THEM KEEPING THE DEMON AS A PET AND FEEDING IT WORMS. Are y'all ok?? If you like suspense scary I guess this is for you???? I'm concerned for you humans that like this movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

Full Review

matthew C

I know my horrors very welk indeed. This will scare you but then stay with you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Millie R

This was a well-rounded horror. I enjoyed this movie, it had few jump scares but when there was one, it was usually unpredictable. I also enjoyed the deeper meaning in this. I will say, this could've been executed a lot better. The babadook itself is an amazing idea but the effects hardly lived up to that. This is a slow-paced horror so it may not be for everyone, I don't particularly like these but this one was an exception.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

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Jennifer Kent

Director

Essie Davis

Amelia

Daniel Henshall

Robbie

Noah Wiseman

Samuel

Hayley McElhinney

Claire

Barbara West

Mrs. Roach

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Synopsis

Six years after the violent death of her husband, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a loss. She struggles to discipline her 'out of control' 6 year-old, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), a son she finds impossible to love. Samuel's dreams are plagued by a monster he believes is coming to kill them both. When a disturbing storybook called 'The Babadook' turns up at their house, Samuel is convinced that the Babadook is the creature he’s been dreaming about. His hallucinations spiral out of control, he becomes more unpredictable and violent. Amelia, genuinely frightened by her son's behavior, is forced to medicate him. But when Amelia begins to see glimpses of a sinister presence all around her, it slowly dawns on her that the thing Samuel has been warning her about may be real.

Director: Jennifer Kent
Producer: Kristina Ceyton, Kristian Moliere
Screenwriter: Jennifer Kent
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Causeway Films, Entertainment One, Smoking Gun Productions
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 2014, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $933.1K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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