The Babadook ~ Film Review
Childhood and motherhood are important phases for many of us, but they can also become very conflicting. Not all childhoods are wonderful and the honor of being a mother is not exactly easy. When a child and mother interact, there are many different emotions that come into play. Thoughts like, “Am I going to be a good mother?” are productive thoughts that could make a family very happy. On the other hand, there are some dark thoughts that every mother has, but can’t really express. The Babadook is the perfect depiction of those dark thoughts and how our own grief can turn to hatred.
The Babadook juxtaposes the themes of childhood and motherhood in a brilliant, albeit terrifying, manner. The story begins with the introductions of Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother, and Samuel (Noah Wiseman), the angry and imaginative child. Seven years earlier, Amelia’s husband died in a car crash while bringing her to the hospital to give birth to Sam. Due to this traumatic event, the connection between Amelia and Sam is tense and poisonous. Sam consistently displays bizarre behavior like insomnia and preoccupation with imaginary monsters. This fixation with monsters is so strong, that Sam begins making weapons and telling other families about the horrible monsters that are out to get his mom and him. Amelia’s overwhelming grief can turn to hatred, which results in a toxic relationship with her son. There are sexual overtones and…
