MovieChat Forums > The Babadook (2014) Discussion > Brilliant film by any standard

Brilliant film by any standard

posted 9 years ago by pale69rider
6 replies | jump to latest

Truly disturbing and thoughtful, THE BABADOOK dares to do what so few horror films do anymore: offer a serious meditation on some of the darker human trapdoors that exist. How refreshing! Especially when one considers what horror films have devolved into. The recent emphasis on empty jump scare tactics has worn my patience thin, but more importantly, most recent horror films simply have nothing at all to say about anything.

This film has the gravity of an Ingmar Bergman film in its observations on how loss, guilt, and shame can corrupt any family (especially one as vulnerable as this family). This is real horror.

Bravo, Jennifer Kent. I'll be watching your work closely from here on out.

[–] ZoneBee 8 years ago

I couldn't agree more.

Great plot, wonderful actors, most superior shooting.

This is not a simple horror movie, it is art.

[–] smidget65 8 years ago

I also thought this was quite good.....I took it for more of an extended metaphor than anything supernatural.

[–] danzig138-668-939218 8 years ago

Hrmmm, nope. It's boring crap. The writer thought they were being far more insightful than the reality.

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WORDS MEAN THINGS! Also, before you come to bitch about a plot hole, rewatch the show/movie.

[–] Whatlarks 8 years ago

You made several charges. I wonder if you'll risk specifying what your words actually mean. Without knowing the grounds for your complaints, there's no way for readers to judge them, and equally important, to judge the measure of the man or woman who levels them.

1) What do you think the filmmaker was trying to be insightful about in the first place?
2) What reason/s do you have to assume she thought she was being far more insightful than she was?
3) What do you think was the reality of her insight?

[–] sackofwhine 8 years ago

Its far more insightful than anythink you will ever create and probably is still better than 90% of the crap you decide to consume.

[–] Snakecrossing 8 years ago

Interesting film. It was more sad than scary though. I probably can't watch it again because of the depressing content, but it was therapeutic in a way. I think everyone has experienced loss and overwhelming grief. And anyone can relate to bottling up emotions or struggling to maintain relationships with others when you feel depressed. I felt it was quite insightful and an intresting take on the subject. I especially liked the main actress, she was really good.