Number Rolled: 51
Movie Name/Year: The
Babadook (2014)
Tagline: If it’s
in a word. Or it’s in a look. You can’t get rid of… the Babadook.
Genre: Thriller
Length: 93
minutes
Rating: NR
Production Companies:
Screen Australia, Causeway Films, South Australian Film Corporation, Smoking
Gun Productions, Entertainment One
Producer: Pete
Best, Julie Byrne, Kristina Ceyton, Jan Chapman, Jeff Harrison, Kristian
Moliere, Jonathan Page, Michael Tear
Director: Jennifer
Kent
Writer: Jennifer
Kent
Actors: Essie
Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney, Daniel Henshall, Barbara West, Benjamin
Winspear, Chloe Hurn, Tim Purcell, Hachi
Blurb from Netflix:
Sam’s frequent tantrums turn sinister when a creepy children’s book
mysteriously appears in his room, and he asks his mother, “Do you want to die?”
Selina’s Point of View:
I enjoyed The Babadook.
This film seemed to start slow, but it was really a simmering
burn that caused the thrills that came later to be more effective. It didn’t
rely on jump scares at all. I have a feeling Alfred Hitchcock would have liked The Babadook, if only on the merit of
its successful suspense.
There were some minor issues I had, but when I found out
this was Jennifer Kent’s (The New
Adventures of Black Beauty, Babe: Pig in the City, Murder Call) first time
writing or directing a full length feature film, it began to make sense.
As a first film goes, The
Babadook was extraordinary. The issues I noted had to do with the ending
and the camera angles. I recognize them now as novice mistakes, which makes
them less of an issue.
The acting was great, even from young Noah Wiseman (Funny or Die Presents, Spaghetti, The Gift).
He did have some of that over-acting, strange facial expression stuff that
child actors tend to have, but it wasn’t so bad that it pulled me out of the
story.
I might watch The
Babadook again if it happened to be on, though I wouldn’t really seek it
out for a second showing. What I do want to see is how Jennifer Kent evolves as
a director/writer. I look forward to whatever her next project might be.
Cat’s Point of View:
This movie was unsettling and disturbing on a few levels.
Something is still lingering with me, even now, the day
after I watched the film.
That, however, is one of the earmarks of a horror movie that
has done its job well, right? This one nailed it.
I woke up in the middle of the night and nearly jumped out
of my skin. (It’s a minor miracle that this happened quietly, and that I didn’t
shriek loud enough to wake the neighbors.)
I had some dark clothing draped over the handle bars of my
exercise bike at the foot of my bed; producing a “shadow creature” in
silhouette against the faint light from the windows beyond.
For me, the psychological aspect of the thrills from
suspense and subtlety digs in and lingers to haunt me better than any image
from flashy and expensive special effects. It’s one of those love-hate side
effects of a vivid imagination.
I found myself questioning reality versus madness as Essie
Davis (Charlotte's Web, Australia,
Burning Man) brought her bedraggled character to life, brilliantly.
Noah Wiseman surprised me with his performance as young
Samuel. This was his first movie role, and he knocked it out of the park. I
thought, surely, I’d see a slew of projects in his film credits – even if they
were titles only released overseas, but there are only 4 starting with The Babadook. If he chooses to continue
with acting, I see great things in his future if he can avoid the pitfalls that
tend to ensnare child actors.
This movie was highly deserving of all of its accolades
(mostly in Australia and internationally); and, frankly, should have received
more recognition here. Though, such is often the case with independent
“foreign” films.
For your bit of fun trivia; The Babadook popup book was published in a limited run. Copies were
available for $80.00; and some of them were autographed by the writer/director,
Jennifer Kent (The Well, Babe: Pig in the
City, Preservation). The book includes extra pages and tidbits that did not
appear in the movie.
Don’t be looking for a sequel, though. Kent owns the rights
and has stated for public record that she will not be revisiting this story.
This isn't a tale that needs a franchise - I think it's fabulous standing on
its own.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 98%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 73%
Netflix’s Prediction for Selina – 4/5
Selina’s Trust-the-Dice Score – 3.5/5
Netflix’s Prediction for Cat – 3/5
Cat’s Trust-the-Dice Score
– 4.5/5
The Random Rating:
R
Movie Trailer:
