The Babadook | 100 Movies Bucket List

 

I've seen this film twice and hated it both times, so here's hoping third time's the charm!

Unfortunately I still didn't like it.

It had been so many years since I'd seen the film that I didn't really remember much, which was good because it almost felt like coming to it fresh.

One thing I absolutely didn't remember was how, for want of a better word, annoying the character of Sam is. Noah Wiseman plays him really well, but I never felt as much sympathy for the mother, Amelia (played be Essie Davis) as I did on this re-watch.

That being said, there's not one likeable character, or one that you can really connect with. And in the case of the mother it's completely clear why, but whatever the case, it makes it harder to engage with the story.

Every time an ad came on, I was happy to just have a break from this family. I couldn't wait for the film to be over!

Not much happens during the film, which was probably why I didn't like it the first time I watched it, and while I do get it more now than I did before, it still didn't hold my attention the way I wanted it to.

It's really interesting seeing Amelia's character development, and the way she descends into a form of madness and paranoia. And as horrifying as it is to watch, we are also able to sympathise with her to some extent.

At least at first - I can't say I sympathised with who she became towards the end of the film!

So overall, for the third time, this film just isn't for me. I'm not surprised at all that it's considered a classic based on how it's spoken about, but I personally don't get it. But I'm glad I got it out of the way early in the year!