The Babadook

Amelia Vanek is a deeply troubled widow living in Adelaide, who struggles to raise her six-year-old son, Samuel, on her own following the tragic loss of her husband, Oskar, during a car accident that occurred while he was driving her to the hospital for labor. As Amelia tries to cope with her grief, Sam begins to exhibit disturbing behavior, becoming an insomniac and fixating on an imaginary monster that he believes threatens them both.

One evening, while seeking comfort, Sam asks Amelia to read from a pop-up storybook titled Mister Babadook, which introduces the sinister creature of the same name. This tall, pale-faced figure, wearing a top hat and possessing sharp talons, is said to torment those who acknowledge its existence. The book’s sudden appearance unnerves Amelia, while it reinforces Sam’s fears. His obsession with the Babadook leads to sleepless nights for Amelia as she tries to soothe him.

As time passes, strange occurrences escalate—doors open and close on their own, eerie noises fill the house, and unsettling glass shards appear in Amelia’s food. Initially attributing these events to Sam’s behavior, her frustration grows when he insists that the Babadook is responsible. In a fit of desperation, Amelia rips the book apart and discards it, but the sinister presence only intensifies. The situation worsens at Sam’s birthday party when his cousin, Ruby, bullies him about being fatherless, provoking Sam to retaliate and inadvertently injure her.

As Amelia grapples with mounting isolation, her mental state deteriorates further. The Babadook reemerges in increasingly disturbing forms, prompting Amelia to seek help from a pediatrician who prescribes sedatives for her son. The following morning, Amelia discovers the Mister Babadook book mysteriously reassembled on her doorstep, containing ominous new messages that threaten her family’s safety. Fearful and confused, she attempts to burn the book, signaling a turning point in her battle against this malevolent entity.

Nightmares turn real when the Babadook invades her dreams, leading to terrifying hallucinations that blur the line between reality and her declining sanity. Amelia’s behavior becomes erratic as she starts exhibiting outbursts of violence towards Sam, including visions of murdering him. Amidst the chaos, she experiences an apparition of Oskar, who entices her to bring Sam to him; however, she recognizes this as a trap orchestrated by the Babadook itself.

In a climactic struggle, Amelia is ultimately possessed by the Babadook and confronts her son with the intent to harm him. Yet, in a moment of clarity, Sam’s love and tenderness remind her of her true self, causing her to regain control as she expels the Babadook from her being. The mother-son duo faces the aftermath of their ordeal, which culminates in a poignant moment where Amelia confronts the beast, forcing it into the basement and locking it away.

Following these harrowing events, both Amelia and Sam begin the path to healing. Amelia embraces her role as a nurturing mother, supporting Sam’s creativity and hobbies, such as crafting weapons and performing magic tricks. In a symbolic gesture, they gather earthworms for the Babadook, signifying a truce of sorts, as Amelia learns to coexist with the darkness that once consumed her. Finally, they step outside to celebrate Sam’s birthday, reclaiming joy in their lives, albeit with the understanding that the shadows of the past will always linger.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 12:14