The Babadook (2015): Movie Explained + Ending Explained
The Terrifying Monster is Grief
🗓️ Release Year
2014
📺 Streaming On
Netflix, Amazon Prime
IMDb
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98% Critic Score
1. The Babadook Ending Explained: The Real Monster is Grief
Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook is not your typical horror movie. On the surface, it’s a terrifying tale about a monster in a pop-up book. But dig deeper, and you’ll find one of cinema’s most profound allegories for grief, depression, and motherhood. This movie explained + ending explained guide will unpack the film’s harrowing journey. We’ll explore the plot, the characters, and the deeply symbolic meaning behind that unforgettable ending. If you’ve ever wondered what The Babadook is truly about, you’re in the right place.
2. Overview
The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent. It stars Essie Davis as Amelia and Noah Wiseman as her son, Samuel. With a runtime of 94 minutes, the film masterfully builds an atmosphere of dread using stark visuals, chilling sound design, and minimal special effects. The mood is one of unrelenting anxiety, claustrophobia, and profound sadness. While it fits the horror genre, its core is a devastating family drama about a mother and son trapped by a loss they cannot process.
3. Spoiler Warning
4. Story Explained (Full Breakdown)
Act 1: The Shadow of Loss
Amelia is a widowed mother struggling to raise her eccentric and often fearful son, Samuel. Her husband, Oskar, died in a car crash while driving her to the hospital to give birth. Amelia is exhausted, emotionally numb, and resentful. Samuel’s constant talk of monsters and his homemade weapons strain her patience and alienate them from their community. The fragile stability of their life shatters when Samuel selects a mysterious pop-up book, “Mister Babadook,” for his bedtime story.
The book is a work of sinister art. It introduces a tall, pale-faced creature in a top hat who promises, “If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook.” The story escalates with violent imagery, culminating in a threat: the Babadook will invade their reality, grow stronger, and make Amelia kill her dog, then her son. Horrified, Amelia destroys the book. But the next day, a reassembled, more ominous version appears on her doorstep. The Babadook has been invited in.
Act 2: The Descent into Madness
The Babadook’s presence manifests through psychological torment. Amelia begins to see the creature in quick, terrifying glimpses. She hears its name in static, sees its shadow on the wall, and experiences violent, intrusive thoughts. Her sleep deprivation worsens. The line between reality and nightmare blurs completely. Her resentment towards Samuel boils over, as he becomes both a target of her rage and the only one who believes the monster is real.
Amelia’s attempts to seek help fail. A visit to the police is dismissed. Her sister, Claire, offers no real support. The film cleverly makes us question Amelia’s sanity. Is the Babadook a real supernatural entity, or a manifestation of her repressed trauma and potential psychosis? The climax of Act 2 sees Amelia, now fully possessed by the Babadook’s influence, violently turn on Samuel. She chases him through their gloomy house, her face twisted into a monstrous snarl. The mother has become the very threat she feared.
Act 3: Confrontation and Integration
In a final act of courage, Samuel helps his mother lure the Babadook into the basement. Amelia follows the creature down, where she is forced to confront the raw, shrieking embodiment of her grief. In a visceral and terrifying scene, she vomits a black, oily substance—the physical manifestation of her trauma. She sees a vision of her dead husband and, for a moment, is tempted to join him. But Samuel’s cries bring her back. She shouts at the entity, “This is my house! You are trespassing!”
This act of claiming her space and her life is pivotal. She does not destroy the Babadook. Instead, she banishes it back to the basement. The confrontation ends not with a victory, but with a tense, fragile truce.
5. Key Themes Explained
The Babadook is a masterclass in using horror to explore profound human emotion. Its primary theme is the insidious nature of unresolved grief. Amelia never processed Oskar’s death. She suppressed it to care for Samuel, whom she subconsciously blames for the tragedy (he was born as his father died). The Babadook is this suppressed grief—angry, dark, and demanding to be acknowledged.
The film is also a stark portrayal of motherhood under extreme duress. It challenges the idealized image of the nurturing mother, showing Amelia’s frustration, exhaustion, and even homicidal urges. The monster represents the “bad” thoughts society tells mothers they should never have.
Finally, it’s about the necessity of confronting trauma. You cannot wish grief away or lock it in a box. The only way to live with it is to face it, name it, and learn to manage its presence. The Babadook, as the ending shows, cannot be killed, only domesticated.
6. Characters Explained
Amelia (Essie Davis): Amelia’s arc is the film’s backbone. She begins as a ghost in her own life, hollowed out by loss. Her journey is one of re-integration. The “monster” she fights is the darkest part of herself—her resentment, her pain, her desire to give up. Her ultimate strength is not in destroying that part, but in acknowledging its existence and choosing to live anyway.
Samuel (Noah Wiseman): Samuel is often misread as a “problem child.” In reality, he is hyper-vigilant. He senses the emotional danger his mother cannot articulate. His obsession with magic and weapons is a child’s attempt to gain control in a terrifying, unstable world. He becomes his mother’s protector, symbolizing the reciprocal, often reversed, roles in parent-child relationships burdened by trauma.
The Babadook: More than a monster, the Babadook is a symbolic entity. It is the physical form of Amelia’s trauma, her depression, and her repressed rage. It grows stronger in the dark and in silence, mirroring how mental anguish festers when ignored.
7. Twist Explained
The film’s central “twist” is not a narrative surprise, but a perspectival one. The revelation is that the monster is not an external threat, but an internal one. The real horror isn’t the creature in the top hat; it’s the realization that Amelia is capable of harming her own son. The film brilliantly makes the audience experience her dissociation. We fear for her, then we fear her.
The twist is cemented in the basement confrontation. When Amelia faces the Babadook, she is literally facing the writhing, screeching core of her own pain. The victory is not slaying the dragon, but looking it in the eye and saying, “I see you.”
8. Movie Ending Explained
The ending of The Babadook is one of the most intelligent and hopeful conclusions in modern horror. Let’s break it down.
What Happens: After the basement confrontation, time passes. Amelia and Samuel are in their sun-drenched garden, tending to a vibrant rose bush. Their relationship is warm and playful. Samuel performs a magic trick for his mother. The scene is idyllic. Then, Amelia goes to the basement. She carefully carries down a bowl of worms (food for the rose bush’s soil). The Babadook is there, lurking in the shadows, a silent, watchful presence. She sets the bowl down, looks at it without fear, and returns upstairs to her son and the sunshine.
What It Means: Amelia has not “defeated” her grief. She has integrated it. The Babadook remains in the basement—a part of her life, but no longer in control of it. She acknowledges its presence by feeding it (the worms), a ritual of management. This is a powerful metaphor for mental health: some pains never fully leave us, but we can learn to live with them, to keep them in a designated place where they don’t overrun our daily existence.
The garden symbolizes life, growth, and care. The rose bush, which she now nurtures with the “food” from the basement, represents the beauty that can grow even from processed trauma. Her loving relationship with Samuel shows that by confronting her darkness, she has reclaimed her capacity for light and connection.
Director’s Intention: Jennifer Kent has stated the film is about “the need to face the darkness in ourselves and in our lives.” The ending rejects the Hollywood trope of a neat, happy conclusion. Instead, it offers a more realistic, mature resolution: wellness is not the absence of pain, but the ability to function and find joy despite it.
Alternate Interpretation: Some view the ending as darker. The act of “feeding” the Babadook could be seen as Amelia making a pact, continually nourishing her grief to keep it at bay. It suggests a lifelong, vigilant struggle. However, the overall tone—the sunlight, the laughter—strongly supports a reading of hard-won peace, not ongoing horror.
9. Performances
Essie Davis delivers a monumental, career-defining performance. She traverses a staggering emotional spectrum: from numb depletion to sheer terror, to monstrous rage, and finally to weary, hard-won peace. Her physical transformation is astounding—the dark circles under her eyes, the gaunt posture, the terrifying contortion of her face during possession. This isn’t just acting; it’s a visceral embodiment of psychological collapse.
Noah Wiseman, as Samuel, is equally remarkable. He avoids all the clichés of a “creepy horror movie kid.” Instead, he portrays a deeply anxious, loving, and resilient child with stunning authenticity. His screams feel real, his vulnerability is heartbreaking, and his determination gives the film its moral center. The dynamic between Davis and Wiseman is the terrifying, tender heart of the film.
10. Direction & Visuals
Jennifer Kent’s direction is clinical and poetic. The film’s color palette is deliberately drained of warmth—all greys, blues, and cold whites—mirroring Amelia’s depressed worldview. The only vivid colors appear in the grotesque red of the Babadook book and, finally, in the sunny yellows and greens of the ending garden.
The cinematography uses tight, claustrophobic framing within their home, making the walls feel like they’re closing in. The use of practical effects for the Babadook—stop-motion-like movements, clever shadow work—makes it feel eerily tangible. The sound design is a character itself: the raspy whispers of “Baba-dook-dook-dook,” the oppressive silence of the house, and the jarring jumps in the score all work to keep the audience in a state of profound unease, aligning us with Amelia’s fractured psyche.
11. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- A brilliant, multi-layered allegory that elevates it beyond standard horror.
- Two of the most authentic and powerful performances in the genre.
- Masterful, atmospheric direction that builds dread through mood, not gore.
- A uniquely intelligent and resonant ending that stays with you for days.
- Exceptional use of practical effects and sound design.
Cons:
- The slow-burn, psychological pace may frustrate viewers seeking traditional “jump-scare” horror.
- The grim, oppressive atmosphere for the first two acts is emotionally taxing.
- Samuel’s constant screaming and behavior, while authentic, can be grating for some audiences.
12. Cast
| Actor | Role | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Essie Davis | Amelia | The Matrix Resurrections, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries |
| Noah Wiseman | Samuel | The Babadook (debut) |
| Daniel Henshall | Robbie | Snowtown, The Killing Field |
| Hayley McElhinney | Claire | The Great Gatsby, Rake |
| Barbara West | Mrs. Roach | The Babadook |
| Ben Winspear | Oskar | The Babadook |
13. Crew
| Role | Name | Other Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Director / Writer | Jennifer Kent | The Nightingale |
| Producer | Kristina Ceyton | The Nightingale, The Power of the Dog |
| Producer | Kristian Moliere | The Babadook |
| Cinematographer | Radek Ladczuk | The Nightingale, Celestial |
| Composer | Jed Kurzel | Macbeth, Assassin’s Creed |
| Editor | Simon Njoo | The Babadook |
14. Who Should Watch?
This film is a must-watch for fans of psychological horror and elevated horror (like Hereditary or The Witch). It’s perfect for viewers who appreciate horror as a vehicle for exploring complex human emotions. However, those sensitive to themes of child endangerment, grief, or depression should approach with caution. It is not a movie for a casual, jump-scare fueled night.
15. Verdict
The Babadook is a modern horror masterpiece. It transcends its genre to deliver a devastatingly accurate portrait of grief and a courageous story of maternal survival. Anchored by Essie Davis’s volcanic performance and Jennifer Kent’s assured direction, it proves that the most terrifying monsters are the ones we harbor within. Its ending is not about a fight won, but a peace negotiated—a powerful, lasting lesson on how to live with our darkness.
16. Reviews & Rankings
| Source | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 98% | “Smart, scary, and ultimately profound.” |
| IMDb | 6.8/10 | “A haunting allegory for grief.” |
| RogerEbert.com | 3.5/4 | “A stunning debut… a horror film about the horrors of parenting.” |
| The Guardian | 5/5 | “A masterpiece of psychological terror.” |
17. Where to Watch
As of this writing, The Babadook is available for streaming on Netflix and for rental/purchase on Amazon Prime Video. Its status can change, so check your local platforms.
Ready to face the Babadook? The film awaits on Netflix for a viewing you won’t soon forget.
FAQs:
The Babadook (2015) – Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to common questions about the psychological horror film, its symbolism, cast, and hidden meanings.
What is The Babadook actually about?
The Babadook is a psychological horror film that explores grief, depression, and trauma through the metaphor of a monster. The creature represents the unresolved grief of the main character, Amelia, following the death of her husband. As she struggles to cope with single motherhood and her son’s behavioral issues, the Babadook manifests as the physical embodiment of her suppressed emotions.
The film is widely interpreted as an allegory for mental illness, showing how trauma that is not properly processed can become a destructive force. The ending suggests that while grief never completely disappears, it can be managed and contained.
Is The Babadook based on a book or true story?
The Babadook is not based on a true story, nor is it directly adapted from an existing book. However, the fictional monster originates from a mysterious pop-up book that appears in Amelia’s house. Director Jennifer Kent was inspired by her 2005 short film “Monster,” which explored similar themes.
The Babadook storybook featured in the film was created specifically for the movie and serves as a central plot device. The book’s dark, disturbing illustrations and rhyming text were designed to feel like an authentic vintage children’s book while conveying the film’s psychological themes.
What does the ending of The Babadook mean?
The controversial ending shows Amelia and Samuel living with the Babadook in their basement, feeding it worms and maintaining a fragile peace. This symbolizes learning to live with grief rather than defeating it completely.
Key interpretations include:
- The Babadook represents Amelia’s trauma, which can’t be eliminated but can be managed
- By “feeding” it (acknowledging her grief), she prevents it from controlling her life
- The final scene shows a healthier relationship between mother and son, suggesting healing is possible even with ongoing mental health challenges
Who plays The Babadook monster?
The Babadook is portrayed through a combination of practical effects, puppetry, and digital enhancement rather than by a single actor. Tim Purcell was the primary puppeteer and physical performer for the creature, while the distinctive vocal performance was provided by Craig Behenna.
The monster’s design was inspired by classic horror figures like Nosferatu and the works of German Expressionist cinema, with its tall, thin silhouette, top hat, and claw-like hands creating an unsettling, iconic appearance.
What mental illness does Amelia have in The Babadook?
Amelia exhibits symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder, complicated grief, and possibly post-traumatic stress. Her symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness and emotional numbness
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Social isolation and withdrawal
- Irritability and difficulty connecting with her son
- Hallucinations as her mental state deteriorates
The film doesn’t provide a specific clinical diagnosis but accurately portrays how untreated grief can manifest as severe psychological distress.
Why is The Babadook considered an LGBTQ+ symbol?
In 2016, The Babadook unexpectedly became an LGBTQ+ icon on social media, particularly after Netflix accidentally categorized it under “LGBT Movies.” The internet embraced this error, creating memes that portrayed the monster as a gay icon.
This phenomenon highlights how audiences can reinterpret horror monsters as metaphors for marginalized identities. The Babadook’s “closeted” existence in the basement and its misunderstood nature resonated with LGBTQ+ experiences of hiding one’s true self.
What is the significance of the pop-up book in the film?
The “Mister Babadook” pop-up book serves as the catalyst for the horror and a physical manifestation of Amelia’s subconscious. Its significance includes:
- It appears mysteriously, suggesting it emerges from Amelia’s psyche
- The book’s warnings become self-fulfilling prophecies
- Its destruction and reappearance symbolize how trauma resists being eliminated
- The book’s rhymes structure the narrative progression
Director Jennifer Kent worked with artist Alex Juhasz to create a genuinely unsettling book that feels authentically vintage while serving the film’s themes.
How was The Babadook received by critics?
The Babadook received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its psychological depth and exploration of grief. Key reception highlights:
- 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a “Certified Fresh” designation
- 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes
- Praised as one of the best horror films of the 2010s by numerous publications
- Won awards at film festivals worldwide, including Sundance and Sitges
- Critics highlighted Essie Davis’s performance and Jennifer Kent’s direction
The film is often cited as an example of “elevated horror” that uses the genre to explore serious psychological themes.
What is the meaning behind the name “Babadook”?
The name “Babadook” appears to be a nonsense word invented by director Jennifer Kent, but it has several potential interpretations:
- It may derive from children’s rhyming slang or nonsense words like “babble” or “dook” (Scottish for “dive” or “plunge”)
- The repetition of “ba-ba” echoes baby talk, contrasting with the creature’s horror
- Some interpret it as a reference to “baba” (father or grandfather in some languages) and “dook” (duke), suggesting aristocratic menace
- The name’s rhythmic quality makes it memorable and adds to the folkloric feel
Kent has stated she wanted a name that sounded like it came from a children’s rhyme while being unsettling.
Are there any sequels or plans for a Babadook franchise?
There are no official sequels to The Babadook, and director Jennifer Kent has expressed no interest in making one. She has stated that the film tells a complete story and that a sequel would undermine its themes.
However, there have been discussions of potential adaptations:
- Rumors of a stage adaptation have circulated but not materialized
- The film’s producer, Kristina Ceyton, mentioned potential “other iterations” but emphasized the importance of the original’s integrity
- Given the film’s cult status and critical success, commercial pressure for a sequel exists but has been resisted by the creative team
The Babadook remains a standalone work, which many fans appreciate given Hollywood’s tendency to franchise successful horror films.
Main Cast
- Essie Davis as Amelia Vanek
- Noah Wiseman as Samuel Vanek
- Daniel Henshall as Robbie
- Hayley McElhinney as Claire
- Barbara West as Mrs. Roach
Key Awards
- AACTA Awards – Best Film, Director, Actress
- Sundance Film Festival – Best Horror Feature
- Sitges Film Festival – Best Film
- Fangoria Chainsaw Awards – Best Wide Release Film
Film Details
- Director: Jennifer Kent
- Writer: Jennifer Kent
- Cinematography: Radek Ladczuk
- Music: Jed Kurzel
- Production Company: Causeway Films
- Budget: $2 million (estimated)
