The Babadook - Good or Bad?

*THGhost* · 02-18-2015, 09:36 AM

What do you all think of The Babadook? I personally think it was one of, if not the best horror film of 2014. It has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87% on Metacritic, has won over 30 awards and is generally viewed as a great horror film. I hadn't heard of anyone saying it was bad, until last night.

A friend of mine came round and we started discussing horror films. He isn't a fan of them and struggles to find many that he actually likes. When I mentioned The Babadook, he could not believe that I liked it and thought it was one of the best 2014 horror films. He thought it was terrible. He said "nothing happened" (he says that about a lot of films actually. Doesn't really make sense, does it?), that the boy in the film was one of the ugliest and most annoying children he has ever seen (a bit harsh) and that he didn't care if he died or not. He then started checking off all the major plot moments from beginning to end, making them sound as mundane as they come, and then concluded again that "nothing happened" and that it "wasn't even scary".

Is it me, or has my friend completely missed the point of this film? It isn't supposed to be "scary", at least not in the conventional sense. It's not that kind of film. The trailers wrongly advertised it as a monster flick; that The Babadook was like Freddy Krueger or something. Instead it was a mature, challenging psychological thriller about depression and grief, that doesn't rely on any CGI, jump scares or gore. It also features a truly excellent performance from Essie Davis.

I believe that because my friend doesn't really like horror films that he fails to dig deeper beneath the surface when it comes to these types of films, and that really saddens me - not that I'll ever say this to his face of course.

So what did you all of think of the film? I'd love to hear some real criticisms from others that didn't like it, whatever they might be.

PS. Be warned. Turo602 has completely derailed this thread.

*MrTMNT2012* · 02-18-2015, 09:46 AM

If we don't take into account the third act of the film, then without a doubt, The Babadook is the best horror film of the year (hell maybe even the decade considering the amount of sh!tty horror movies there are...).

It really got under my skin and Essie Davis gave the best performance of the year in my opinion. Where it disappointed me was the ending! Sure it was unique and heartwarming but it was also cheesy and unnecessary. I'm half/half on it, but overall the movie was great.

Now if you want a movie that gets under your skin and doesn't let go to the very last second, I'd recommend Coherence. It's not a 'horror' movie per se, but it's an absolutely terrifying grounded idea that makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. With a budget of maybe $10, it managed to give the same feelings Babadook gave me but amplified to the max!

Just don't look up ANYTHING on the movie, cause it's best viewed not knowing anything about it like I did...

*AT-Man* · 02-18-2015, 09:56 AM

I really liked it. The main actors were good, the Babadook book was fantastic in the movie. Hated that one stock monster scream they used, I think it's been in a game or a cartoon before, a really dumb decision to use that in the final movie. The Babadook itself wasn't as creepy as I hoped, or they could have just shown it less. Overall one of the better horror movies and it got many of the things right I want to see in horror.

*THGhost* · 02-18-2015, 10:11 AM

My friend's "nothing happened" phrase still baffles me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by AT-Man

The Babadook itself wasn't as creepy as I hoped, or they could have just shown it less.

Funny, you're the first person I've seen say that. Everyone else seems to think it was the perfect example of less-is-more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTMNT2012

If we don't take into account the third act of the film, then without a doubt, The Babadook is the best horror film of the year (hell maybe even the decade considering the amount of sh!tty horror movies there are...).

It really got under my skin and Essie Davis gave the best performance of the year in my opinion. Where it disappointed me was the ending! Sure it was unique and heartwarming but it was also cheesy and unnecessary. I'm half/half on it, but overall the movie was great.

Now if you want a movie that gets under your skin and doesn't let go to the very last second, I'd recommend Coherence. It's not a 'horror' movie per se, but it's an absolutely terrifying grounded idea that makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. With a budget of maybe $10, it managed to give the same feelings Babadook gave me but amplified to the max!

Just don't look up ANYTHING on the movie, cause it's best viewed not knowing anything about it like I did...

What was wrong with the third act exactly? I'll definitely check out Coherence too.

*MrTMNT2012* · 02-18-2015, 10:25 AM

I just feel it underscored the themes of loss and grief at the end. It turned out much less about the mother accepting loss and moving on and more so about The Babadook just...kind of giving up.

I appreciate the message at the end but I feel it lessened the impact of the darker themes of the film. (Also it was just getting ridiculous by the end; with all the screaming, flying, puking etc.)

BTW, I totally agree with the 'less-is-more' notion and I think it's the main reason why The Babadook and Coherence were such thought-provoking films for me.

*THGhost* · 02-18-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTMNT2012

I just feel it underscored the themes of loss and grief at the end. It turned out much less about the mother accepting loss and moving on and more so about The Babadook just...kind of giving up.

I appreciate the message at the end but I feel it lessened the impact of the darker themes of the film. (Also it was just getting ridiculous by the end; with all the screaming, flying, puking etc.)

BTW, I totally agree with the 'less-is-more' notion and I think it's the main reason why The Babadook and Coherence were such thought-provoking films for me.

It is hard to come up with a good ending when you're dealing with themes like that though. I agree The Babadook's ending could have been better, but I still like the ending that it has.

Oculus is another that I would recommend if you haven't seen it already.

My friend did mention that he really liked Open Windows, by the way. Make of that what you will.

I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, but I hear it wasn't that good.

*MrTMNT2012* · 02-18-2015, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THGhost

It is hard to come up with a good ending when you're dealing with themes like that though. I agree The Babadook's ending could have been better, but I still like the ending that it has.

Oculus is another that I would recommend if you haven't seen it already.

My friend did mention that he really liked Open Windows, by the way. Make of that what you will.

I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, but I hear it wasn't that good.

Oh I still liked the ending! Just wasn't as good as the rest of the film.

I have seen Oculus actually. I was told it was a terrible film by all my friends even though it got decent reviews. I personally really liked it, especially the dynamic between the brother and sister.

And...yeah Open Windows, not my idea of a 'thrilling' movie...

02-18-2015, 09:36 AM	#1
THGhost Puppet Master Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: UK Posts: 2,825	The Babadook - Good or Bad? What do you all think of The Babadook? I personally think it was one of, if not the best horror film of 2014. It has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87% on Metacritic, has won over 30 awards and is generally viewed as a great horror film. I hadn't heard of anyone saying it was bad, until last night. A friend of mine came round and we started discussing horror films. He isn't a fan of them and struggles to find many that he actually likes. When I mentioned The Babadook, he could not believe that I liked it and thought it was one of the best 2014 horror films. He thought it was terrible. He said "nothing happened" (he says that about a lot of films actually. Doesn't really make sense, does it?), that the boy in the film was one of the ugliest and most annoying children he has ever seen (a bit harsh) and that he didn't care if he died or not. He then started checking off all the major plot moments from beginning to end, making them sound as mundane as they come, and then concluded again that "nothing happened" and that it "wasn't even scary". Is it me, or has my friend completely missed the point of this film? It isn't supposed to be "scary", at least not in the conventional sense. It's not that kind of film. The trailers wrongly advertised it as a monster flick; that The Babadook was like Freddy Krueger or something. Instead it was a mature, challenging psychological thriller about depression and grief, that doesn't rely on any CGI, jump scares or gore. It also features a truly excellent performance from Essie Davis. I believe that because my friend doesn't really like horror films that he fails to dig deeper beneath the surface when it comes to these types of films, and that really saddens me - not that I'll ever say this to his face of course. So what did you all of think of the film? I'd love to hear some real criticisms from others that didn't like it, whatever they might be. PS. Be warned. Turo602 has completely derailed this thread. __________________ - - - 1990 > OotS > TMNT 2014 > Turtles Forever > TMNT III > SotO > TMNT 2007 "Can't we all just get along?" - pennydreadful "...bitchy people are what make fan forums insufferable when they don't need to be." - B-Man "Act like freakin' adults for goodness sake." - Jester "Tough guys with tiny voices." - Commenter 42 Last edited by THGhost; 02-20-2015 at 06:22 PM.

02-18-2015, 09:46 AM	#2
MrTMNT2012 Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,512	If we don't take into account the third act of the film, then without a doubt, The Babadook is the best horror film of the year (hell maybe even the decade considering the amount of sh!tty horror movies there are...). It really got under my skin and Essie Davis gave the best performance of the year in my opinion. Where it disappointed me was the ending! Sure it was unique and heartwarming but it was also cheesy and unnecessary. I'm half/half on it, but overall the movie was great. Now if you want a movie that gets under your skin and doesn't let go to the very last second, I'd recommend Coherence. It's not a 'horror' movie per se, but it's an absolutely terrifying grounded idea that makes my skin crawl just thinking about it. With a budget of maybe $10, it managed to give the same feelings Babadook gave me but amplified to the max! Just don't look up ANYTHING on the movie, cause it's best viewed not knowing anything about it like I did... __________________ Fav Quote - 87 Leo: "TURTLES FIGHT WITH HONOUR!" Fav Series - 2012 Nickelodeon Fav Game - Out of the Shadows Fav Comic - IDW Series Fav Movie - Liebesman's TMNT (2014)

02-18-2015, 09:56 AM	#3
AT-Man I SEEN IT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: FIN Posts: 2,206	I really liked it. The main actors were good, the Babadook book was fantastic in the movie. Hated that one stock monster scream they used, I think it's been in a game or a cartoon before, a really dumb decision to use that in the final movie. The Babadook itself wasn't as creepy as I hoped, or they could have just shown it less. Overall one of the better horror movies and it got many of the things right I want to see in horror. __________________ Through the Golden Door

02-18-2015, 10:25 AM	#5
MrTMNT2012 Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,512	I just feel it underscored the themes of loss and grief at the end. It turned out much less about the mother accepting loss and moving on and more so about The Babadook just...kind of giving up. I appreciate the message at the end but I feel it lessened the impact of the darker themes of the film. (Also it was just getting ridiculous by the end; with all the screaming, flying, puking etc.) BTW, I totally agree with the 'less-is-more' notion and I think it's the main reason why The Babadook and Coherence were such thought-provoking films for me. __________________ Fav Quote - 87 Leo: "TURTLES FIGHT WITH HONOUR!" Fav Series - 2012 Nickelodeon Fav Game - Out of the Shadows Fav Comic - IDW Series Fav Movie - Liebesman's TMNT (2014)