What's In It
Based on the actual screenplayViolenceExtremeβΌ
LanguageModerateβΌ
Scary ScenesExtremeβΌ
RomanceModerateβΌ
SubstancesModerateβΌ
StimulationExtremeβΌ
Despite being a horror film, some of the most disturbing content isn't the monster at all β it's the sustained sequence of Amelia, the mother, violently shaking Samuel through a door, threatening to smash his head against a wall, and wringing his neck through locked bars, which may be more unsettling to parents than any supernatural scare.
About The Babadook
The Babadook follows Amelia, a grieving single mother, and her troubled young son Samuel as they are terrorized by a sinister storybook creature that may be a manifestation of Amelia's unresolved grief over her husband's death. The film is a slow-burn psychological horror that blurs the line between supernatural threat and mental breakdown, growing increasingly intense as Amelia's behavior toward her son becomes frightening in its own right. It ends on a note of recovery and reconciliation.
Family Takeaways from The Babadook
What it gets right
- βThe film portrays grief as something that can build up and manifest destructively if left unresolved, shown through Amelia's escalating breakdown before she finally reaches out for help at Mrs. Roach's
- βIt shows a path toward healing rather than leaving the family broken, ending with Samuel and Amelia together and happy at the birthday party
The Babadook Cultural & Values Guide
Cultural & Values Guide
No cultural or religious themes detected for this film.
Is The Babadook Appropriate for Your Child's Age?
Individual children may vary β use your judgment.
Parents also ask about The Babadook
- Is The Babadook appropriate for a 15-year-old?
- Does The Babadook have violence?
- Is The Babadook OK for kids?
- What is the age rating for The Babadook?
