The Babadook (2014)
Thematic horrors of a single mother.
Presentation:
The film is desaturated, moody and the scares are well done. Essie Davis really sells the lonely struggling widow and commands empathy. The relationships are real and the film ends on a significant thought that is both touching and inspiring.
Story:
A film about the dark thoughts of motherhood, especially single motherhood. The monster represents such evil impulses we must keep at bay, but is presented in such a tangible manner that allows anyone to connect. Grief and suffering of the widow is palpable and the child also pulls off both an annoying brat and precious treasure effectively. This ultimately had a very promising message despite a dark tone, which is difficult to execute for horror films.
Conclusion:
This is one of the horror film that led the way for the art horror we see today. It's one of the first and best integrations of themes in horror that are well done. Tense when it should, shocking when you least expect it. I recall this being very scary at the time, but I was quite young when I watched this. Now it’s still scary, but for a completely different reason.
Recommendations
Body horror without The Substance.