Thanks for trying to explaing everything about this movie. I understand every word you wrote and the sentences too. But I just dont like this movie at all. I dont really care if its deeply nuanced, psychological or real. It just doesn’t do it for me. And I dont really have to have a psychological character study to apreciate that, or a lecture on mental health. Its a nice try for a first featured film of a very gifted director, and I appreciate that. I will be looking forward to her upcoming films because I honestly think she has a future as a filmmaker, What I dont like about it is that it is being praised as a master horror flick when its not. Deeply disturbed mother-son relationships have been around for a while and in some cases it has produced very interesting results, like “We need to talk about Kevin” and “Luna”, the latter not being horror but just a reference on how great/sick those relationships could get. Samuel and Amelia have mostly pathological connection often ending in her losing control and blaming him for everything. But thats hardly a descend into madness. And the movie has a sense of being made for kids scares and thats cool, but a master horror film it’s not. I have read several reviews abut Babadook and most of them are very good. But critics and public not always agree, and maybe that is just how it should be. I can not see greatness in this film and that it’s just fine
You’re absolutely right that folks have vastly differing opinions of the film and that’s how it should be. There were times when I was honestly afraid that Amelia was going to kill her son which, to me, was terrifying; had she succumbed to her urges, she would have relinquished her insanity. She may have never descended completely into madness, but it was close. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ll definitely check out the other films you recommended. Josh
Loved the in depth analysis. Truly insightful and truthful. I also found myself identifying with the child (as I too had a single mother) and I found myself able to identify with the mom as well. ( I have a 2 year old boy) so as I was putting myself in both of their shoes, I felt just as confused as they were. It totally makes sense that she would write the book too. I was never able to figure out why she had black hands, I kind of assumed it was a metaphor for the fact that this was all on her. She was truly responsible for the situation. Because as the parent it was her job to pull herself up by her boot straps and maintain a happy healthy lifestyle for her son after his fathers passing. Which she truly failed to do for him. Adding that to the fact she wrote the book is awesome!