NZIFF Film Review: "The Babadook" (2014).

"Where there is imagination, there is darkness and from within that darkness lurks a being of unfathomable terror ... close to home." That being is The Babadook. This Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent, in her directorial debut, and based on Kent's 2005 short film Monster. A widowed mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

In 2009, Kent began writing a feature-length screenplay of her 2005 short film that sought to tell a story about facing up to the darkness within ourselves, the "fear of going mad" and an exploration of parenting from a "real perspective". In terms of the characters, Kent said that it was important that both characters are loving and lovable - Kent wanted to portray human relationships in a positive light. In total, Kent completed five drafts of the script. Kent cited 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s horror films, including The Thing (1982), Halloween (1978), Eyes Without a Face (1960), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Carnival of Souls (1962), The Shining (1980), Vampyr (1932), Nosferatu (1922), Let The Right One In (2008), The Fall of the House of Usher (1928), and Häxan (1922). Principal Photography took place in Adelaide, South Australia with a budget of $2 million. Kent originally wanted to film solely in black-and-white, as she wanted to create a "heightened feel" that is still believable. But Kent later lost interest in the black-and-white idea and worked closely with production designer Alex Holmes and Radek to create a "very cool", "very claustrophobic" interior environment with "meticulously designed" sets. Kent cited filmmakers David Lynch and Roman Polanski as key influences during the filming stage. For the titular monster and the scary effects, Kent was adamant from the outset of production that a low-fi and handmade approach would be used. Stop-motion effects were used for the monster and a large amount of smoothening was completed in post-production. Kent also took inspiration from The Man in the Beaver Hat from London After Midnight (1927) for the design of the Babadook.

The film stars Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Barbara West, and Ben Winspear. Terrifyingly strong performances were given by the cast, especially from Davies and Wiseman, whose dark portrayal of mother and son was the true monster of the film.

Occasionally a feature film emerges from outside the United States, although this is the first ever out of Australia, where a group of inexperienced and independent film pros veered off into a try at producing truly terrifying and disturbing entertainment. The Babadook is a bold film that plays like a perfect nightmare for everyone who's used to standard structures in genre cinema. One of those unique horror movies where the low budget, gritty footage and rough performances combine to create not only an unsettling atmosphere of dread but also a study of existential angst in the face of unimaginable horror.

Simon says The Babadook receives:

Also, see my NZIFF review for Our Sunhi (우리 선희)