Analysis Of The Babadook

On the surface, Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook (2014) is a horror film that uses a mythical monster to torture an already broken family. It presents the creature as a monster that one could picture originating from Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Kent introduces the idea of the Babadook monster through a twisted children’s pop-up book. In keeping with the tropes of the horror film genre, the book appears on Samuels Vanek’s (Noah Wiseman) shelf from an unknown place. When Amelia Vanek (Essie Davis) tries to remove, or dispose of the book it returns. As The Babadook further explores the world of Amelia and Samuel, it reveals the highly inhibiting feelings of grief in Amelia. They stem from the death of her husband, Oskar Vanek (Benjamin Winspear), which happens …show more content…
With mise-en-scène, Kent is able to connect the origins of the monster to a despondent Amelia. Her house is in a state of darkness and mourning. She is constantly reliving the moment of Oskar’s death. The imagery of magic and shadow creatures exists throughout her life. Using montage Kent directly connects the Babadook monster to the state of Amelia’s mind. It gains form as she loses control. Grief has consumed Amelia. The more Amelia attempts to deny her grief, the more the creature grows in strength. As the Babadook book reveals, “The more you deny me, the stronger I get.” In the end, “You can’t get rid of the Babadook.” Grief is lasting. It is only through accepting grief that one can gain power over …show more content…
Samuel blames the Babadook, but Amelia assumes Samuel put the glass in her soup as only her bowl is affected. She sends him off to watch his magic DVD while she prepares new food. When Amelia goes upstairs, she finds a vandalised photo of her with Oskar in her bedroom. She again assumes Samuel is to blame and goes to confront him. Samuel defends himself, accusing his mother of wanting to die if she does not let him protect her. Amelia retreats to the kitchen, rubbing her head after the stresses of the day. Samuel sits in his bedroom crying. As Amelia sits in the kitchen, a look of exhaustion on her face, Samuel sees something coming from his wardrobe closet. He looks at it in terror. A loud thump and Samuel’s scream is heard by Amelia who runs to help her son. She finds him hidden under his bed. As she pulls him out from the bed, he enters a trance repeating the words “Don’t let it in” while staring up. Amelia follows his eyes to find the Babadook book, which she had previously placed on a tall wardrobe in her bedroom, has returned to Samuel’s