The Babadook

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The Babadook

Released Nov 28, 2014

1h 33m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

247 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

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

“The Babadook” is an extraordinary horror film.

Aug 15, 2024

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Audrey B.

it’s not scary but very cringe when the babadook speaks

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/16/25

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Anniston P

Horrible movie. The annoying child. The bad CGI. The alligator / godzilla sounds. The bad plot. It’s a comedy at best. “98” what are yall smoking

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

Full Review

Lynn F

Critics loved this movie because if you can fit an analogy into the premise, it has to be good, regardless of all other short comings MILD SPOILERS (lets you know there are some "jump scares") B movie animations, really ruins a lot of the "scary" reveals The ambience is probably the scariest part of the movie, and even. paranormal activity did that much better ACTUAL SPOILERS I understand the child was supposed to be annoying, and that was to drive home the helplessness of the mother, but when you yourself are annoyed of the kid, it's like having that crying baby in a theater. The entire movie is a analogy of societal pressures being forced on a single mother and her overcoming them. Nice analogy, sure, but ultimately boring. After my 3rd attempt trying to watch this movie, I finished it, to my disappointment. Lack-luster ending Slow burn, with no pay off annoying child Male significant other, that is forgotten about halfway through the movie and finally, in the end, no lesson is learned. Her son wasn't difficult, it was just the babadook (the analogy), and after they defeat it, the problem is solved for them and everyone else throughout existence.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

Full Review

Ale C

Theres some bad cgi but its a 2014 movie so what did you expect i guess. Nevertheless, this is a solid film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

Full Review

Ruby P

The scariest movie I've ever seen! So good. I love all the hidden and not so hidden themes. (SPOILERS AHEAD) I did cry when the dog died, but otherwise amazing. Highly recommend it!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

Full Review

William H

I like the concept of "the babadook" but the child in the film made the movie insufferable

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

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Jennifer Kent

Director

Essie Davis

Amelia

Daniel Henshall

Robbie

Noah Wiseman

Samuel

Hayley McElhinney

Claire

Barbara West

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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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