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The Babadook

  • 20142014
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 34min
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
207K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,390
568
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
Play trailer2:25
2 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorMystery

A single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.A single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.A single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
207K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,390
568
  • Director
    • Jennifer Kent
  • Writer
    • Jennifer Kent
  • Stars
    • Essie Davis
    • Noah Wiseman
    • Daniel Henshall
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jennifer Kent
  • Writer
    • Jennifer Kent
  • Stars
    • Essie Davis
    • Noah Wiseman
    • Daniel Henshall
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 981User reviews
    • 521Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 56 wins & 64 nominations

    Videos2

    Festival Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    Festival Trailer
    The Babadook Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    The Babadook Official Trailer

    Photos137

    Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis in The Babadook (2014)
    Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis, Barbara West, and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman in The Babadook (2014)
    Essie Davis in The Babadook (2014)
    The Babadook (2014)
    Cathy Adamek and Craig Behenna in The Babadook (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Essie Davis
    Essie Davis
    • Amelia Vanekas Amelia Vanek
    Noah Wiseman
    Noah Wiseman
    • Samuelas Samuel
    Daniel Henshall
    Daniel Henshall
    • Robbieas Robbie
    Hayley McElhinney
    • Claireas Claire
    Barbara West
    Barbara West
    • Mrs. Roachas Mrs. Roach
    Ben Winspear
    • Oskaras Oskar
    Chloe Hurn
    • Rubyas Ruby
    Jacquy Phillips
    • Beverlyas Beverly
    • (as Jacqy Phillips)
    Bridget Walters
    • Normaas Norma
    Annie Batten
    • Old Woman in Corridoras Old Woman in Corridor
    Tony Mack
    • Principalas Principal
    Carmel Johnson
    Carmel Johnson
    • Teacheras Teacher
    Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
    Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
    • Supermarket Mumas Supermarket Mum
    • (as Tiffany Lyndall Knight)
    Lucy Hong
    • Supermarket Little Girlas Supermarket Little Girl
    Sophie Riggs
    • Checkout Chickas Checkout Chick
    Lotte Crawford
    • Kissing Womanas Kissing Woman
    Chris Roberts
    • Kissing Manas Kissing Man
    Terence Crawford
    Terence Crawford
    • Doctoras Doctor
    • Director
      • Jennifer Kent
    • Writer
      • Jennifer Kent
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Amelia, who lost her husband in a car crash on the way to give birth to Samuel, their only child, struggles to cope with her fate as a single mom. Samuel's constant fear of monsters and violent reaction to overcome the fear doesn't help her cause either, which makes her friends become distant. When things can not get any worse, they read a strange book in their house about the 'Babadook' monster that hides in the dark areas of their house. Even Amelia seems to feel the effect of Babadook and desperately tries in vain to destroy the book. The nightmarish experiences the two encounter form the rest of the story. —PipingHotViews
    booksingle mothermother son relationshipmonsterfear453 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • If it's in a word. Or it's in a look. You can't get rid of ... The Babadook
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Jennifer Kent holds the rights to the film. When asked if there would be a sequel, she said, "I will never allow any sequel to be made, because it's not that kind of film. I don't care how much I'm offered, it's just not going to happen."
    • Goofs
      (at around 31 mins) Samuel pushes the girl out of the tree house backwards, yet she somehow falls forward.
    • Quotes

      Amelia: You are nothing. You're nothing! This is my house! You are trespassing in my house! If you touch my son again, I'll fucking kill you!

    • Connections
      Edited from Mortal Kombat (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Music from 'Skippy'
      Written by Eric Jupp

      © Administered by APRA/AMCOS

    User reviews981

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Much more than a horror film
    While "The Babadook" may display some of the hallmarks of the traditional horror film, there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye. Far from the typical Hollywood bloodfest so brilliantly satired in "Cabin in the Woods," this film's characters are layered, its plot is mercurial, its actions are metaphorical, and its conclusions are ambiguous. All this is likely to disappoint those filmgoers who need to be spoonfed a formula. But if you're a film lover, Do. Not. Miss. This.

    Director Jennifer Kent understands what most horror filmmakers fail to grasp: that our biggest fear isn't of crazy killers or monsters or ghosts, but of ourselves—what lives inside us, the emotions we have to live with, the illusory veil of self-control.

    The plot revolves around a mum, her troubled son and the book he pulls off the shelf one night. But you already know too much. This is one film where knowing less going into it will really pay dividends. Really, don't even watch the trailer.

    Just know that the storytelling and craft are flawless. Essie Davis delivers one of the most challenging performances put to screen with total commitment and credibility. Kent's storytelling is utterly absorbing and she so delicately treads the line between what's real and what's not that you can never be sure of yourself.

    What you make of "The Babadook" will depend on who you are. You might take it at face value, as a creepy monster flick with all the constant threat and looming dread and shocking moments. You might take it as an attempt to capture the authentic experience of mental illness. You might take it as a symbolic story using a metaphor for grief and loss. The best films make you feel something and allow you the room to make sense of it yourself.

    Personally, I thought about this film for days after seeing it, both because of its ambiguity and because of the themes it explores, namely mental illness and domestic violence. Yes, it's scary. But it's also touching and heartbreaking. While "The Babadook" belongs alongside other great psychological horror films, like "The Innocents" and "The Haunting" (1963), to classify it purely as "horror" really belittles its accomplishment as a film that challenges us to examine and discuss issues we are very uncomfortable tackling in reality.
    helpful•188
    59
    • mikeburdick
    • Aug 29, 2015

    FAQ2

    • Is this just another monster in the house picture?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 28, 2014 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Causeway Films - Festivals & Awards
      • Causeway Films (Australia)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sách Ma
    • Filming locations
      • Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Screen Australia
      • Causeway Films
      • The South Australian Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $964,413
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $30,007
      • Nov 30, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,312,540
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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