The Australian horror flick, The Babadook, is eerily chilling and systemically, as a whole, a new twist on the horror genre. Truthfully speaking, it’s not for everyone. In fact, most people probably won’t be able to handle some of the tones the picture infuses.

The Babadook centers on single mother, Amelia (Essie Davis), as she attempts to raise her troubled son, Samuel (Noah Wisemen), following the unexpected death of her husband. Attempting to maintain work commitments, her son’s overzealous outbursts and being haunted by a past life, she is worn out. Amelia does her best to care for her son. Things start to change once Samuel stumbles upon a bedtime story called Mister Babadook. He instantly becomes obsessed with – and frightened of – the titular monster, thus increasing his already unbecoming behavior to new levels. Samuel digs deeper into the madness, and after being expelled from school (after injuring a fellow student), Amelia suspects that the Babadook may be more than just a mental illness.

The film was produced on a minuscule budget of about $2.5 million ($30,000 coming from kickstarter) by first time filmmaker, Jennifer Kent. In spite of its meager budget, The Babadook proves that less is more when it comes to horror. Where other horror films rely on hefty use of CGI imagery, Babadook takes pride in taking elements that remind us of all the better made classics that stumbled before it. Some small minor outer techniques and camera angles keep Babadook from being a roaring crowd pleaser. But most horror enthusiasts (and major cinephiles – like myself) will appreciate the attention to detail Kent does with her tension-filled moments.

In fact, most of the “scares” come from the characters in their traumatic (yet relatable) experiences. Rather than in movies of supernatural presences, moviegoers have the option of choosing their own opinion about the Babadook (methporcially and thematically).

For all those who enjoy a heavy portion of thought-provoking cinema, alas, some psychological terror, The Babadook offers insight into the mind like no other, and it complements the horror-viewing well. Early on, it would be easy to dismiss this film as another boring retread and slugging captivator. But the powerhouse performances by Essie Davis and Noah Wisemen and the rich direction of Jennifer Kent keep the film in check. And I have already begun dissecting how I can make the perfect costume for next Halloween and do the justice the titular character deserves. Grade: B+