Facing the Babadook: A Journey into Motherhood’s Shadows

You ever notice how kids’ books are sometimes scarier than the actual horror movies? Well, “The Babadook,” directed by Jennifer Kent, uses exactly that sly trick and gives us mums and dads a fright like no other. It’s a creepy story that ain’t about monsters under the bed, but rather the ones in our heads. Essie Davis, who plays the troubled mum Amelia, is absolutely brill. She makes you feel every bit of her exhaustion and fear—the poor woman looks like she hasn’t slept in a year.

The way Kent wraps the film in a grey, grim atmosphere reminds me of the long Swedish winters. You know, those times when the sky feels like it’s gonna just crush you with its weight? Watching it, I couldn’t help but think about this one chilly February back in 1998 when my own kid, little Erik, refused to sleep unless I read him that bizarre story about the troll that lived behind our stove. Kept me up all night, and you start wondering, is it you losing your mind or the kid?

And what’s crazy is, I get why the Babadook looks like an illustration torn from a nightmare—can’t say I envy the sleep-deprived mind that spawned such a beast. But that’s what makes it work, I guess. There’s a real undercurrent here, examining mental health and grief.

I won’t lie, I did find some parts too drawn out, like they were trying to milk the suspense a bit. Coulda used a bit more of that agonizing tension broken up with some humor. But maybe that’s just me missing a touch of Swedish sarcasm amidst all the Aussie gloom.

Have you seen it? What did you think? It’s one of those films that stays in your noggin, making you ponder. Gives “There’s a monster in my closet” a whole new meaning, eh?

Check the trailer below