I wasn't holding my hopes high for this.

For a start, it's Australian. This isn't usually a good thing. While they've made some great films in last few decades, a few good horrors amongst them, most Australian films of late are not good. To put it mildly.

Happily, The Babadook bucks this trend. It is a fine film. It manages to pull you in and care about the characters. It has a constant sinister edge going on that gnaws at the nerves. Genuinely scary in parts and quite riveting. I won't say more, as I don't want to spoil the suprise(s).

Thoroughly enjoyable, with fine performances from all.

R

This was a simple movie that relied on atmosphere. It was nicely directed and it did have some fine performances, especially the main lead.

It's worth a look.

FIrst half of this film far outshined the second half in my opinion. I loved the atmoshpere it created. Mr. Babadook book itself was a nice chilling touch. I kept waiting for the rhymes in the book to mean something.. "If it's in a word or it's in a look... You can't get rid of the Babadook". I was interested to see how that was going to be the demise of this entity or a key to its essence.

The ending was an extreme dissapointment for me. What a let down. So many questions left unanswered. Nothing they set up in the first half meant anything in the second half. Rarely do I find myself thinking about a film after I've seen it and liking it less, but that's the case here. Terrible editing also. I know it's an indie film, but untimely cuts would just happen. Concerned coworker shows up, watches Samuel have a temper tandrum and then we go to another scene in the house and he's left with no explanation or reaction?

Not my bag. I also checked out the 2005 short film the director made that eventually spawned into this. It lacks a lot of the feature, the book and chilling rhymes, but pretty much sums it up in 10 minutes...

http://vimeo.com/39042148

James

Just saw the trailer too this, and have to check it out.

BLB

I thought it was dreadful.

Incredibly boring.

None of the scares worked. Each and every one flopped.

The acting was overwrought. The story non-existent. The effects laughable.

The whole thing felt like a student film.

At no point did it ever feel real...even the lighting and sets were dreadfully amateur.

The worst kind of horror...not bad enough to be funny, but no where near good enough to be scary in any way.

I'd say this is a definite avoid...but judging from the comments above some enjoyed it.

Would give it a 1 out of 10 for the art department's work on the book. Everything else was dire.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films ... I thought it was dreadful. Incredibly boring. ...

Wow, really, Rick?

I loved The Babadook. It scared the crap out of me!

Sometimes I think it depends on the mood you're in but also what preconceived ideas you have of something - how much you've heard, the hype etc.

I hadn't heard too much about this except for our local movie reviewers saying it was great but I don't usually hold too much stock in that cause they usually get behind the local product - Wolf Creek 2 being an exception - that still remains a mystery...

Getting back to this, it's been ages since a horror movie actually had me on the edge of my seat, and this did. Psychological horror rather than slasher so fans of gore will likely be disappointed but this film manages a level of tension and unease throughout incomparable to horror movies I've seen lately - took me instantly back to childhood imagining the monster about to leap from the wardrobe or from under the bed.

I thought the pacing was terrific - bit of a slow burn until the Babadook actually makes it presence felt but that was part of the effectiveness of the creepiness of this imh, and most of that was due to the terrific sound design.

A surprising amount of depth to the characterizations too. I was sure the kid was going to drive me up the wall - one of the reasons I did not see this in the cinema. I found myself switching allegiance from mother to son and back again. I think the deeper themes were quite powerful too - how much power you can give to something you're afraid of, whether that fear is real or imagined etc.

So much care was taken with the smaller details too - the actual pop-up book of The Babadook is so well done - really macabre, and when the Babadook finally makes his entrance he/it is suitably sinister - Tim Burton/Nosferatu inspired, and scary as hell - creeping over ceilings and around corners, ready to come and get you.

If there was one negative for me it was the ending - I found it bordering on cornball but I forgave it because of everything that came before it.

I just hope rumours of sequels are just that, rumours. The Babadook should stand alone and resist being part of a franchise imh, unless of course the script is really something, and somehow I doubt that... Still, you never know.

I didn't have any preconceived notions, I didn't even know what it was about  

I watch a lot of horror films. This is one of the worst I've ever seen. It was a student version of the Orphanage without any of the plot, directing ability or basic filmmaking quality. Every horror cliche in the book but all so badly handled that it played out like a pisser.

Watching that duck bad guy dance about on the ceiling...got to be the nadir of cinema history right there.
Gobsmackingly bad. Worst film I've seen at the cinema.

I watched Rec 3 the other week. That was tripe, but this has supplanted it as worst film of the decade.

Fair enough. I don't agree...obviously, but we're all different.

Let me know if you come across a horror that's good. I saw Rec3 and wasn't impressed.

I really liked In Fear http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2165859/ except once again the ending was lacking - very little gore in this one as well, not that that's a dealbreaker.

And, I have mixed feelings about Oculus having seen it last night - an ending to typically spawn another three sequels, I think.  

Am really looking forward to seeing what Flannagan does with Gerald's Game (based on Stephen King's book).

Anyway, better get back on topic.
I don't know maybe we need a recommended 'Horror' thread, even if opinions differ.  

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I watched Rec 3 the other week. That was tripe, but this has supplanted it as worst film of the decade.

Hardly. Have not seen the work of Uwe Boll?

R

Quoted from LC I really liked In Fear http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2165859/ except once again the ending was lacking - very little gore in this one as well, not that that's a dealbreaker. And, I have mixed feelings about Oculus having seen it last night - an ending to typically spawn another three sequels, I think.

I rented IN FEAR but for some reason I never watched it

OCULUS on the other hand I did watch. I thought it was good. Wasn't great, but competent and interesting.

Quoted from rendevous Hardly. Have not seen the work of Uwe Boll? R

- I know he has the reputation of Ed Wood and I've only seen one of his films but I thought "Postal" had a lot of funny stuff in it. Pretty ballsy too, certainly no studio interference going on here that's for sure.

Quoted from rendevous Hardly. Have not seen the work of Uwe Boll? R

I saw rage...that was a thousand times better than this turkey. But yes, I accept there's a certain level of hyperbole to what I said.

I really liked Babadook, first half in particular made a pleasant change from the usual jump/scare rubbish...

Rick, RT and IMDB views on it lead me to believe that perhaps you saw something else
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_babadook/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2321549/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Anthony

Ok so this isn't really going to be a review ...because I am not good at doing reviews but I can say this...I am a super big fan of this movie. I saw it tonight and it's the best horror movie I've seen in years. If you are looking for blood and guts this isn't your movie. If you are looking for cheap scares or big set piece special effects...this is not your movie. It scares the bejesus out of you and the idea came from a pop up book!? WTF. Good stuff IMO. On Amazon and showing in limited theaters....

Watched the trailer and read Carson's review. I want to see this one!!!! Now I just need to find the time!  

Thanks for posting!