The Babadook (2014) EXPLAINED
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- čas přidán 5. 12. 2019
- The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent, starring Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman as a mother and son haunted by a malevolent spirit bent on their demise.
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Hey there folks!! My name is Niyat and this channel was created to assist in answering all your questions about Films, Comics and Popular culture in a fun and engaging way!
Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any of the source materials I used in this work, appealing to allowance made for "fair use" purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research, under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. - Zábava
At first it all feels very supernatural. But you realise as you go along that the Babadook is a representation of her grief and depression. As long as she denies the grief, it destroys her. When she accepts it and asks what do you want, the Babadook is cast down in the basement. Meaning her grief and depression is never really gone, but just compartmentalised. She gets on with life in a healthier way and visits and tends to her grief/depression like you would a pet. She accepts it rather than fear it.
The babadook is now you it’s in you’re life and you haven’t a clue
She fed him dirt and worms-
And that’s how you defeat him, you must accept the grief instead of reject the grief and him. He gets stronger the more you reject him and thrives in it.
I’ve heard of the babadook described as a manifestation of postpartum depression.
That would make 100% sense, because the women's husband dies before she gives birth. Also depression is something that has to be conquered, if you don't do anything about it, it keeps feeding on you, and that's exactly what happens in "the babadook," she over comes it.
ive heared u get so bored by the movie u get Postpartum depression.
@@RealEvilLordExdeath facts tho
@@chrissnyder8415 the point of the babadook was to symbolise the destructive power of grief and how it can ruin you. The movie shows that the babadook is a physical form of grief or of depression thats why it doesnt like to hear the husbands name because the mom lives in constant denial of her husbands death
@@chrissnyder8415 and besides the babadook isnt a real folklore creature they created him for the movie
I like how at the end of the movie the ba ba dook becomes a basement pet.
More like a 35 year old gamer that wont leave and get a job pmsl
Taika Tohveli rewamped ...
Torille
Like my cousin dave
R u seriously telling me u don't have a supernatural demon who you feed worms to in YOUR basement
I prefer the Italian translation: The Bippity Bopiduke
BabbArchduke Franz Ferdinand
Why not Hippity Hoppyduke?
@@RuSosan did not think of that one, but an excellent point
MYppity Propertdook
RuSosan Hippity Hoppity, your son’s now my property.
Quite among the *most* underrated drama/horror genre; the entire movie's athmosphere was absolutely intoxicating and demoralizing; the babadook's addition to the movie felt thrilling; thanks for making this one film&comicsexplained! :)
@Micah Mcgaffin No, I am perfectly aware, that it is become a classic *now* - I also remember that nobody bat'ed an eye to this spectacular movie when it aired, the year it aired it was widely underacknowledged and ignored, quite a popular phenomenon on cinematic community
the only reason it is underrated cause it have no comedy, no jump scare, no blood or gore. so it not going to be very main stream, most deep physiology horror movie like this is will alway be overlook by the main stream.
@@khanhnguyen-tt3ff agreed 👍
The DORUK I often compare this movie to it
@Micah Mcgaffin saying everything Is underrated and under appreciated is a trend right now, they all do it. Yes, it's cringe.
The kid's makeshift weapons always struck me as odd. They really _work,_ the way a little boy would expect his cobbled-together gadgets to work, rather than falling apart or being underwhelming as you and I would expect. I always wondered if that had some metaphorical significance.
He builds his defence that he needs to protect his mother who is in denial.
Doubtless the "weapons" were meant to come off as crappy, improvised, and low-budget as the manifestations of the Babadook they were supposed to defend against. I mean, IT'S ONLY A KID expressing the Babadook and the weapons, and a kid's artistic resources are limited; primitive; kid-like.
Just like in the film Donnie Darko, where you're definitely NOT seeing the world through the eyes of the smart sister who's going to Harvard; you're seeing the world through the eyes of the dumb brother who reads comics and watches cartoons. . . .the pathos in Donnie Darko is the way the world never quite makes sense, the comic-book plots Donnie tries to "think with" are always coming up short in coming to terms with reality. Life is hard and sad . . . when you're dumb.
Hence, any efforts by the director to "explain" or "make sense" of Donnie Darko only ruin the pathos.
@@gavinreid5387 bingo! children build real psychological defenses when they live in addictive/unhealthy homes. similar to the film, those weapons can be wielded inappropriately against peers. excellent film for teachers to watch.
it's a mod to the psychological aspect it works because the boy believes it will work
They remind me of fallouts pipe weapons personally
This movie was legit freaky AS HELL!
I know right!
Baba baba dook...
this Movie was shit as hell
russischbrot your mind is shallow as hell 😂
@Luc Germain Hast du Grindr? 👁🤤
This is one horror movie that actually scared me.
Because ur a scaredy cat! No one apove 12 was scared by this shit of a movie
russischbrot shitty shallow mind
@@RealEvilLordExdeath No one above the age of 12 says "scaredy cat"
This movie was eh
russischbrot
Ok, well clearly you’re above 12 so this movie isnt for you. But still your spelling is pretty bad for a 13 year old.
As I told my friend when the film first came out the Babadook was literally a Grief Demon. Grief Demons once let into your life will never leave you and if not kept in check will regain strength. Honestly one of the scariest Demon types in my opinion. This film did it justice and was a masterpiece in my opinion. Thank you for your work as always.
The Nekavandre it does work for both theories that he is an actual demon and a manifestation of grief at the same time. Are grief demons a really thing?
Edit: well Demon can enter into your life through negative feelings...so yeah
They are atracted to negative feelings, fear is the most common type
It's a damn shame that demons aren't actually real.
@@pwabd2784 prove it
@@marioramirez6741 you're asking me to prove demons don't exist when there is no evidence to prove they do. If you want to claim something exists the burden of proof is on you.
I love horror movies that are really just metaphors of real human emotions and how we deal with them rather then a unstoppable senseless killer. Give it more psychological depth
With other words u Have a Fetish on Shit
@@RealEvilLordExdeath stfu
The babadook is now you, it’s in you’re life and you haven’t a clue
Recommend more
@@hotstuff2k10 the babadook is in all of us we just need to feed it worms and nurture it ❤
My interpretation of the end when it shows her feeding the thing worms. To me felt like a metaphor for herself feeding the grief that demanded to be felt.
Babadook was a manifestation of the grief that she didn’t allow herself to feel, and he only grew stronger the more she buried it down. Towards the end, when she lets herself feel everything, she realizes that the pain will always be a part of her, hence Babadook being “part of the family” now. So instead of trying to cast it out, she keeps it locked in the basement ( with her husbands things ) and goes down there every so often to cry or let it out ( feeding it the worms ) and then comes back out to go about the rest of her day.
She doesn’t let it consume her anymore. So that’s what I took from it. “You ( grief ) will always be a part of me and my family. But I can’t let you consume us. So I’ll keep you down here and feed you when I have too, and acknowledge your presence. Then I will go back to my life and my son.”
@Harry Hart Thank you!
Good point!
Y
@@vvthetalentlessduo6976 Y what?
Perfectly explained!
Meme of the movie: WHY CAN'T YOU BE NORMAL!!
*Me, putting the milk in before the cereal*
Screams
My favorite movie scene ever. It almost derailed the whole movie with how hilarious it was.
*reeeeeeeeeeeee*
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
Reeeeee
It makes me happy to see how much you've blown up and the content just keeps getting better and better!
Thanks mate! :)
Meow
Babadook sounds like a line in a rap song. "Pull out the pistol like Ba-Ba-Dook..."
Honestly, yea I'd listen to that, not even much into rap
We need Eminem to make a music video for this movie
What kind of songs do you listen to, John?
It was mentioned at the cousin's birthday party that the mother used to write children's books. This is evidence that the pop-up book was created by her as a manifestation of her pain.
Not really evidence but it seems very likely.
Omg, thank you! I was wondering the significance of that line in the movie. I never thought about that. It makes perfect sense.
She created everything.
Great catch.
Damn. My wife's father died by suicide when she was seven. This movie perfectly describes her relationship with her mother from that day forward. To this day, her mother hasn't talked about it once. Her mother never even told her he was dead. She found out from other family days later.
I don't think I could ever handle this movie. Just too real for what my wife has had to experience.
SanctusLetum i'm sorry for that, how's your wife?
@@danicasandoval8382oh, shes ok. Just obviously has a horrible relationship with her mother. Has some various baggage that we have to deal with together sometimes. Nothing catastrophic.
SanctusLetum here’s to a long lasting marriage mate *raises wine glass*
Yeah who cares
The babadook was BRILLIANT. Many of us look to art and the expression of others so that we can heal from our own traumas. I did not handle the death of my mother in a healthy way, and I carried grief with me constantly, and this film helped me realize that. Simply outstanding
The ways it exposes mental health in an ugly/beautiful light, can’t be fully explained but it does it in a scarily accurate way that sets it apart from any other movie. Completely uniquely educationally deep.
I am so happy this popped up, i needed something better to watch then random youtube videos. Love the videos, keep up the amazing work
Bet u Allways watch shit like: "Top ten scary Hous storys that realy happened for shure, belive me"
russischbrot shitty shallow mind that can't spell 😂
Y
Emelia: WHY CANT YOU JUST BE NORMAL
Samuel: S C R E A M
Babadook what exactly is normal her your not helping The Babadook oh the 7 foot hellish DEMON Isn’t helping what a shock
@@sammywilliam8156 what why are you mad
@@sammywilliam8156 wtf are you talking about?
@@JamesColemanTheater Samuel is one of the most annoying kids I've ever seen.
This movie was firing on all cylinders. The symbolism, the depth of storytelling and the erie creepiness make this far above your average horror movie. I kind of want a sequel but know that some of the magic will inevitably be lost.
The ONLY Horror movie I’ve ever seen that accurately depicted fear tangibly
Hmm...
I'm watching at night, why am I doing this, well hell just to support Nyiad
So that's how you spell it
You are not alone in that my friend. Im doing this too. But why am I doing this?
How can THIS scare you? The ACTUAL movie is the one you should be scared of. Oh wait, yeah, you're just using the same overused comment to get likes and attention.
Lol
the color scheme for this movie is also really cool with everything being slightly grayed and at times almost like a black and white film, and the brief moments of color in her little excursion to the mall all represent her feelings of grief and opinion the world/her life. While this film serves a great way to get you to jump and maybe check your closet after you watch it, digging deep into the metaphors and symbolism is also really cool
Niyat, thank you for stopping by and hosting another one of your amazing videos.
Anytime Dan!
When you explain it, this movie is brilliant and severely underrated.
This movie is gonna be a classic horror movie..
But what about the worms? My interpretation is that she’s feeding it something so “low on the food chain” to show it how inconsequential it is anymore
True
The way I see it is that she's symbolically feeding her grief...and by that I mean to acknowledge and accept her husband's death without suppressing her emotions.
I would say being the lowest level in the food chain might make you the most consequential, since everything is dependent on you.
"Wormfood" brings some food for tought...... :)
i see the worms as a symbol of earth or grounding yourself. By acknowledging it, she is keeping herself in the present and not drifting off back to where she was.
I never thought that this film was a manifestation of the mother's stages of grief until you made this video. This film is freaking scary. 👻
How could you not know? A Scary Movie villain would not be defeated by a depressed houswife jelling at it like a Pussy cat
russischbrot generic shallow mind
@@RealEvilLordExdeath Why do you make videos you get no views
U gotta respect that when ur bogeyman makes u a pop out book
Grief can be hard sometimes. But if you deal with it you will feel better sooner rather than later.
I absolutely love this film. I actually was impressed and inspired by this film. It is genius on how this Psychological horror can actually be a life lesson on how the stages of grief is normal, for someone who is grieving. All the while making the Babadock the represent grief and depression.
Thank you for making this video, man. You never fail to impress.✌🏼👍🏼 Do you thank you can make a video about Negan, or the Governor, from The Walking Dead?💀
AllecJ27 Of Purgatory The Babadock? Is that where they keep the Bababoats?
I think he only does monsters,aliens and viruses
First time I watch this movie scared me like the exorcist, second time I watch this still scard me like the exorcist
Dont Ever Watch News. They are way more Scary than this shithole of a Movie
single motherhood is quite bad to go through for the child as well
When I was 14 me and my friends watched this at like 1am we thought it was the most hilarious thing we’ve ever watched mainly because of the kid, it’s been a staple joke in our friend group ever since and holds a place dear to my heart lol
i started laughing when Amelia clung on to the door frame and kicked the door down and swung in the room
A very interesting movie indeed. Thank you for covering this.
Hey its 1 of 3
I see you everywhere even smite videos
I know from personal experience that grief and depression are powerful and evil demons to deal with. I thought this film embodied that very well.
I think its a metaphor on depression and how people with depression see their illness as a monster they are powerless to fight but at the end when the mom defeats it and keeps it in the basement is a manifestation of how you can't truly get rid of depression but you can learn to deal with it.
One of my favorite horror movies of the last 20 years if you didn’t do it already could you make a video on It Follows
Adding it to the list now! thanks buddy :)
The Babadook was legitimately scary, It Follows was not. Idk what I'm missing in that movie but it was not particularly scary.
@@stevennieto9898 yes it was not meant to be scary, it's a film that draws its strength from soundtrack, mystery and atmosphere
Looking like a double wide surprise GOD DAMN.!
Many comments suggest the Babadook is a manifestation of depression. I’d like to offer an alternative theory, with a similar theme but a different diagnoses. Not mine originally.
This alternate theory instead says that Amelia has DID/multiple personality disorder and has stopped taking her meds without doctor supervision.
The theorist stated this would explain why Amelia is always tired. She thinks she’s sleeping, but another personality is awake and in control. This sounds like possession, but there is no supernatural being. It looks that way because the story is from Amelia’s perspective. To her it looks like Sam is being strangled by nothing, but really it’s an alternate personality choking him.
There are moments in the movie that suggest the Amelia is not in her right mind. She asks Sam where he got the fireworks and he says “You got them for me on the internet!” Which is something she probably wouldn’t have done or forgotten about. And after the scene at the mall, she finds she has a ton of missed calls and texts from Claire. You’d have to be in a huge daze to not recognize your phone going off repeatedly.
This explains why Sam is so stressed all the time. If you never knew if you’d be talking to an impatient but overall harmless mother or a completely different person, how would you act? Him constantly being in her face could be an effort to keep her from zoning out and becoming someone else.
So the ending of the movie is when Amelia has leveled out on new medication, but even with this she can’t fully escape the effects of her condition. So when she feeds the Babadook, it’s just her, sitting in the basement eating a bowl of worms daily.
Lesson:don't read strange books!
Side lesson: don't read books
Lesson: Dont Watch shitty movies
@@RealEvilLordExdeath lesson: lison to comment above this one
Lesson lesson : don't read
@@loafofrope4118 Lesson Lesson Lesson: I got one more lesson then you
@@jare3459 buddy let's learn a lesson about lessons which is a lesson on lessons but what you need to do is learn a lesson
As creepy and horrifying this movie. When the Babadook made himself look like her late husband and he steadily get more demonic sounding when he said, "You can bring me the boy." That was spine chilling.
right that part was so scary!
I love when you and foundflix cover the same movies, you two give different and both great perspectives and info on the films.
Thanks for the video! After watching it for the first time, I couldn’t manage to grasp the meaning of the film as well. Your explanation of grief and dealing with it really makes it alot more fulfilling:)
Another classic to watch! thank you so much for your work
The only monster that just looks like it needs a big hug
I don't think I'd hug that
@@rashadpreston7389 nah just seems like he has a van
@@cheesybeans5304 I have van. What are you trying to say?
i do need a hug
The house from haunting at hill house 🙌🏼 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Yes its on the to do list!
@@filmcomicsexplained finally 😭🙏🏼🙌🏼
Had to turn the lights back on for this movie.
On a call with a close friend of mine I’ll often say “babadoooook..” and she gets mad each time. It’s adorable
2:50 YOOOO THE SET LOOKS LIKE BABADOOKS FACE!!
It's amazing how despite the design of the monster being so simple it is so terrifying
if this scares u, buy millions of lamps because a actuall Shadow my give u a heart attack
@@RealEvilLordExdeathin my defense I've never actually watched a horror movie before so I guess I find different things scary, also know cause shadows.
Man watching this at 12 isn't a good idea.
Lol I find it funny he just slides in 😂
Wow, it’s like I’ve never seen this comment in every single CZcams comment section that has to with horror/scary media...😒
Just do what i do and watch a bunch of other stuff before and after
Logan Gun he's just stating what he's doing lol not that deep
try 3 am
When you think about it, there is nothing more frightening than grief. You absolutely nailed the explanation of this masterpiece of a film.
I love this movie so much, it's got such deep themes that are more than just basic demons possessing people or a crazed killer. I love the psychological element of it, and how it deals with Amelia's real emotions and trauma.
Essie Davis played Amelia so well. Especially that part where she's sitting in a living room chair and her eyes flick over to Bugsy. Then, that scene where Sam is watching her from the stairs and her eyes flick to him, even though she had no way of knowing he was there. She's incredible.
Hey man absolutely love the series!
I've always appreciated the use of color and light in this movie. The outside world is bright and colorful and vibrant, while the interior of the house is darker colors and shadows. One of my favorite movies!
When I first watched this movie. I honestly didn't feel anything
I've been suffering depression since I was 11 years old, and despite therapy and all that, I've struggled with feeling emotions.
My life has literally been Grey for a very, very long time. So on my first viewing, it was a dispassionate experience. Because at the time, I was struggling with the S-Word ideation.
But I've watched it again recently, and all I could do. Was just cry
I've missed years worth of time with my father, and I finally got to have some closure. But I know, even though his time is limited. It's time to put that grief away and keep on living
🎉
🎊
This was a superb movie summary. Thank you for making it.
We all have a babadook.
We all have some burden or trauma on our minds that tries to take over and be the center of our world.
What I like about her character is that she finally learns to set her traumatic experiences aside for the good of her son.
The babadook can coexist with her, but only if she takes a few moments of her day to remind it that it isnt in control
My Babadook took my lamp.
i literally love your channel so much
Damn this was such an amazing explanation video! Thank you so much for this!
As a parent, this movie was stuck in my head for a while after I watched it. It wasn't similar to what I felt after having my child, but I understand the loss that could cause this. It's an interesting perspective.
This is the most misunderstood movie of the century. Even the director has argued endlessly that the creature is as real as the mother's issues. It's both a monster movie and psychosis movie.
I knew it was gonna be a good day! And you just confirmed it! Awesome as always!
Excellent work! Another excellent video exploring something I didn't know I'd want to see. Also, it's lovely to know where an excellent meme came from!
I think the stop-motion animation is what makes it truly horrifying. I was seriously unnerved and disturbed by this film. The bedroom scene gave me nightmares for two days 😫 😩
@Sethrael the Bard It's pretty deep eh. I love it! I especially like the character development where to start off with you find the little kid Samuel to be a little tedious and annoying... But then as the film progresses you start to feel more empathy towards him as the poor mother's grief and depression starts to physically manifest. It's just brilliantly written all round.
My friend was so freaked out by this movie that a week later when the power in our neighborhood went out at night, because of this movie she decided to sit on the curb in her front yard until her mom came home. She was 19yrs old at the time. 😂
This explains I've come back to this story in so many ways in the last two years, Going through the stages of grief after a strong Eros Love had been lost, was harder than dealing with the grief of the loss of my father.
Denial - Anger- Sadness - Depression then wavering back and fourth through Anger to Depression then settling in Depression for a long period of time. Then Finally moving onto Acceptance. Fuck... what a mission.
I didn't understand the ending in the basement until this video. Thank you!
this is one of the most underrated horror films, also I am biased because I am Australian lmao.
it is underrated, coming from a Brit
It might have been pretty underrated when it premiered in Australia but it actually performed very well at the sundance festival the same year and also got great reception in the US and Europe in general.
I hate the Australian accent.
@@O.LEO.N don't watch the movie or this CZcams channel then I guess
Along with the first Insidious and Hereditary, The Babadook always scared me with its possibility.
You should watch lake mungo
Bruh Insidious is the best to me, that movie and Babadook are psychological perfection bruh
@@isatherebel1520 Bro, You like the exact movies i like. Haha 😁😁
@@andrewdeleon1190 Haha that's dope bro, we officially got a strong thing in common now bro 💯💯
Your videos are great man!!!!! Keep it going!!!
Solid analysis. Thanks for this video.
Unpopular view: Sam is actually a very sweet boy.
I feel like gen z watching this would call the babadook, bababooey instead
I love this movie and I’ve seen several videos attempting to explain it and I’m always left disappointed. For some reason it was always very clear to me, maybe because I dealt with unhealthy grief.
But this is the best video I have ever seen! Truly, kudos. You did an excellent job, hit the nail on the head.
And the clip you end with. 👌🏽👌🏽
I am SO thankful you did this! I didn’t understand this movie at all.
Thanks for uploading this video
I been waiting for this explained ep
A couple of things: we learn at Ruby's birthday party that Amelia is a writer of articles and children's books.This ties in to the Babadook bc the anagram for Babadook is......
A BAD BOOK!
This was a baffling movie. So rare and underrated. The ending of learning to live with the monster is something Ive expirienced myself and that most people wont even admit to themselves. Many of us have these type of things growing inside, but we project them on the outside, as fear of the unknown for example,
Wow. That was a psychological roller-coaster. Nice summary.
Not going to mention the time pennywise and the babadook was a couple?
Umm WHAT??
hur dur
@@rattwo it's a piece of internet lore that was never meant to be. Dont bother
Robert Barry too late...*slowly moves hands towards keyboard*
Wasnt that on Social Mediasochist 2?
I remember watching this film years ago good video
Beautiful explanation, my friend !
Amazing video as always
I really need to stop watching the more creepy videos you make when I'm lying in bed, in the dark, with no other surrounding sounds...but I can't. Keep em coming good sir 😁
I almost did that then was like... no
Got to say, the Babadook has/is the most frightening monster I’ve ever seen. They are not afraid to mix reality with fantasy while keeping everything grounded. The dream-like sequences is the only time we see him while in reality he can only appear as invisible ghost or as an hallucination. This makes it way more scary in my opinion as it is more like an indestructible force who’s purpose is to kill and harm you.
Children’s fantasies can truly be scary as their brain is evolving and increases their mental capacity which, something we lose later in life. But bringing that kind of nightmare in front of an adult can truly be scary, especially if the creature’s goal is to scare you to death.
Love your videos mate :-)
I loved this film and I really want to watch it again now. Great explanation for the film too!
I watched this a while ago and it actually scared me, like damn I was shook.
The One Above All
You were ...... babashook
I think I know where Crypt TV got the idea for the look see
Bro. I wake up every morning hoping for a notification from you.
The Babadook is our subconscious mind, where all of our trauma and pain are hidden deep beneath the surface. Our trauma, grief, sadness, depression, loneliness, anger, rage, etc rises to the surface, manifesting itself in our lives, forcing us to face it, acknowledge it, deal with, fight it, and set it free. In turn we heal, no longer suppressing our pain, our voice. 🖤📿🕊
I love that scene where it's on the ceiling - incredible. Also .. you can bring me the boy.
This is perfect for a Friday.
I hella fw your channel bro. Keep it up
Thanks for finally doing my request 😂
I remember reading a theory once about how the mother was going insane and had made everything up in her head and the babadook was never there to begin with.
dosnt explain what happend at the ending tho, so it might have been feeding on her and influencing her like demons do to there victims
I just realized that this is the movie with the meme format
WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BE NORMAL?!
*Screaming
Love your videos, especially the virus series.
That’s so weird, I just saw this movie today and you happened to make a video about it and post it on the same day