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The Babadook Analysed and Explained

This interesting video looks at the meaning behind The Babadook and provides an analysis and theory of the importance of the characters relationships and the meaning behind the worms.

This web series sheds light on the artistic depth behind film and games, especially those overlooked by criticism such as horror.

Mitchell Wells

Founder and Editor in Chief of Horror Society. Self proclaimed Horror Movie Freak, Tech Geek, love indie films and all around nice kinda guy!!

3 Comments

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  1. That’s interesting. I always figured she actually killed Samuel and kept his body in the basement like on the news report. To me the worms represent rot and decay. That final scene to me seemed way too happy and cheery for what they’d just been through. So I figured she killed the boy and that last scene was in her head fantasizing about what she wanted her life to be. Or could go a step further and say she was dead also…just like she saw on the news report and that final scene is hers and Samuel’s afterlife

  2. I took it more as a reflection on mental illness. The Babadook being the mental illness, itself. The way it manifests in her, with paranoia, the hearing of the voices, and how she acts out towards her son and others. I see it especially in the lines (Sorry if I am not quoting them perfectly), “I know the Babadook won’t let you love me right now.” and “You can never get rid of the Babadook.” Her state is caused by the Babadook, her mental illness, and because it is left unchecked it is causing her to try and harm her son. Also you can not be rid of some mental illnesses, it can only be treated.

    My take on the worms is that it is the treatment for her mental illness. The worms are the pills she would need to take to keep her at a normal state. Everyday, she has to face the Babadook because everyday she would have symptoms of her illness, but everyday she would take her pills (give the worms) and calm the Babadook.

    • I agree. In the end, Amelia accepting support from her neighbour Mrs Roach signals a breakthrough as well -she is ill, she needs help, she can’t do it on her own. Mrs. Roach is a maternal figure who allows her to be honest about what she needs and doesn’t judge her or Simon. Simon digging up the worms feels like he’s finally understood the kind of support his mother needs aka not protection from a litany of monsters, but assistance keeping her own monster at bay.

      This guy’s analysis falls apart pretty quickly. I think it unveils what he thinks about what maternity/motherhood should be instead of what the film is about.

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