Babadook

This film comes from Australia and people claim it as the best horror film of the year. I agree. Its way better than anything we have come out with and it’s a smart horror, psychological thriller. The film is directed and written by Jennifer Kent who has never directed a full length feature; it’s not a perfect film but she did a solid job on her first film. The film sets around a grieving mother, played by Essie Davis, and her son as they cope with the loss of the father. The son starts to see a creature from a storybook in real life named The Babadook and it terrorizes him and the mother. This is all I will say as I want you to be surprised by everything. What Kent does well is create a sense of true terror with The Babadook. She never shows the actual creature in his full form besides shadow heavy shots that will leave you with your heart pounding as you start to imagine what the creature looks like beyond the dark. Mixed in with the fantastic lighting and art direction, this makes a slick horror film. Kent really captures the tone and makes the characters feel emotionally damaged and it starts to affect their head, this is where the psychological aspect comes from. The acting is fine and I found the son a bit annoying (they even mention that he is annoying in the film). The mother is a standout and she was, by far, the best part in the film. The cinematography is beautiful, haunting and downright creepy making you to want to turn the light on while watching it. The lighting, as mentioned, is what stood out because it captured that creepy tone well with harsh shadows that really highlights an outline on scenes and the creature to really scare the crap out of you because you don’t know what you are seeing. The art direction and set design is something to notice as it pops with bright colors making the scenes even eerier. The editing is good and the pace is steady, there is really nothing to complain about. There were some special effects shots that were really cheesy but I will let it slide. It’s a solid horror thriller that will definitely creep you out as Kent gives us a solid film from a solid debut in the director’s chair. 6/10
(Review by Chase Lee)