The Babadook

Year: 2014

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Jennifer Kent

DramaThrillerHorror

A troubled mother, Amelia, finds her already difficult relationship with her son amplified by a disturbing pop-up book titled "The Babadook." The book tells a frightening story about a monster that haunts those who read it, and soon, unsettling events begin to occur in their home. As Amelia battles her grief and struggles to protect her son, she questions her sanity and must confront a growing sense of dread and a potential supernatural threat.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Babadook yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Babadook (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Babadook (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

Main Characters – The Babadook (2014)

Meet the key characters of The Babadook (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

Major Themes – The Babadook (2014)

Explore the central themes of The Babadook (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies where grief is the monster, like The Babadook

Horror stories where supernatural threats symbolize internal emotional pain.If you liked how The Babadook used a monster to represent grief, you'll appreciate these similar horror stories. This list features movies like The Babadook where psychological trauma takes a tangible, frightening form, blending supernatural scares with heavy emotional themes.

metaphoricalpsychologicalunsettlinggrief-strickenthematicsymboliccathartic

Narrative Summary

This narrative pattern follows a character grappling with profound psychological trauma, such as grief or guilt. A supernatural entity or monster emerges that directly symbolizes this unresolved pain. The character's battle with this external force parallels their internal struggle, culminating in a confrontation where they must acknowledge and manage their trauma rather than outright defeat it.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share the core concept of using horror as a metaphor for internal states. They combine genuine scares with deep emotional exploration, creating a unique blend of terror and catharsis that resonates on both a visceral and psychological level.

Movies about a mind unraveling like in The Babadook

Stories of slow-burn psychological collapse in a domestic setting.This thread features movies like The Babadook that chart a character's psychological deterioration. If you were captivated by the slow, steady unraveling of sanity amidst domestic stress, these films offer similar journeys into the fragile human mind under extreme pressure.

claustrophobicanxiousunsettlingdesperateparanoidnightmarishoppressive

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character, often a caregiver or isolated individual, as their mental state fractures under unbearable pressure. Through a steady, methodical pace, the film depicts their increasing paranoia, hallucinations, and loss of grip on reality. The setting is often confined, amplifying the feeling of being trapped with one's own deteriorating mind, leading to a climax that questions what is real.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological collapse of a central character. They prioritize mood and internal conflict over external action, using pacing and atmosphere to immerse the viewer in a subjective experience of madness, fear, and desperation.

Unlock the Full Story of The Babadook

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Babadook in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Babadook is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Babadook Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Babadook, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Babadook Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Babadook with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Babadook Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Babadook that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Babadook

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Babadook: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Babadook

Discover movies like The Babadook that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.