THE BABADOOK (2014)

The Babadook is an atmospheric Australian horror film about a young woman named Amelia (Essie Davis) who, nearly a decade later, still mourns the violent death of her beloved husband, killed in a car wreck on their way to the hospital the night Amelia gave birth to their son, Samuel.  Now a single mom still drowning in grief, and with a violent, hyperactive little boy (Noah Wiseman) acting out with his own issues, Amelia - one evening at bedtime - finds a children's book she doesn't recognize in Samuel's room, Mister Babadook, that she reads to him at his insistence, only to find an extremely disturbing story about a monster that stalks you from the shadows.  Mild violence, creepy music, and a couple of jump scares ensue ... but ultimately the film suffers from two major flaws: Samuel is so obnoxious and violent, it's hard to sympathize with him, and the ending is such a pop and fizzle, like a slowly leaking balloon, compared to all that comes before.  Hailed by many critics, The Babadook is suspenseful and looks terrific, but falls too short in the end to be great. (not rated)  C

THE BABADOOK trailer