The Babadook Director Addresses Possibilities of Sequels (Exclusive)

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for delving into the darkest recesses of the cinematic universe, I can wholeheartedly say that “The Babadook” has left an indelible mark on my horror-loving soul. The film’s slow burn, coupled with its deep and unsettling mythology, has proven to be a masterclass in modern horror storytelling.

Initially, Jennifer Kent’s movie, “The Babadook,” didn’t quickly gain recognition as a horror classic. It was initially screened at film festivals in 2014, and it wasn’t until it became available on streaming platforms that it started to deeply haunt audiences. The intricate folklore surrounding the character suggested countless opportunities for further exploration, especially given its growing popularity. However, Jennifer Kent herself has stated that she’s never thought about returning to that universe, despite the potential profitability of such a project. Starting September 19th, “The Babadook” will reappear in theaters, and following each screening, there will be a recorded discussion between Jennifer Kent and two-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón.

[Producer] Kristina Ceyton and I had the potential to earn millions from sequels,” Kent explained to ComicBook. “Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt. However, we chose not to make a sequel because Kristina understood that I wasn’t interested in creating one. This was clear when we initially signed the contracts. We were fortunate enough to retain the rights, which is quite rare for filmmakers. It’s common for filmmakers to relinquish these rights as a condition to get the first film produced. In our case, I chose to focus on expressing my own ideas rather than following a predictable sequel path. If we had made a sequel, ‘Mr. Babadook’ might have become tiresome by now.

Six years following her husband’s tragic death, Amelia (Essie Davis) is at a crossroads. She grapples with disciplining her unruly six-year-old son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), whom she finds difficult to show affection towards. Nightmares of a menacing creature pursuing them haunt Samuel, and he insists that this monster, the Babadook, is real. The arrival of a peculiar book titled ‘The Babadook’ at their residence only serves to reinforce his belief. As Samuel’s hallucinations intensify, so too does his erratic and aggressive behavior. Alarmed by her son’s disturbing actions, Amelia feels compelled to medicate him. However, as Amelia starts noticing eerie manifestations of a malevolent entity surrounding her, she gradually comes to realize that the danger Samuel spoke of might be all too real.

Alongside the film’s success due to its effectiveness, the opportune moment of its release played a significant role. It was launched when audiences preferred lighter scares on the surface, and The Babadook stood out with its deeper, symbolic terrors, making it more appealing to viewers. Kent mentioned that even some investors who funded the movie attempted to alter the project significantly at the last second.

Speaking as a novice director, I wasn’t sure how I would navigate this process. Each day brought a fresh, gut-wrenching fear. But once it was completed, I felt immensely proud of it because I retained creative control over the film. As a filmmaker, I am strongly committed to maintaining authorship of my work. If the film had been taken away from me at any point, it would have been ruined, for late in the editing phase, we faced significant criticism. People disliked the movie, even those who had invested in it. Thankfully, due to myself and the producers having final cut, we were able to safeguard it.

On September 19th, The Babadook is back in cinemas, and following each showing, there will be an exclusive, on-screen discussion between Jennifer Kent and two-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón.

Are you up for a new movie installment? Connect with Patrick Cavanaugh on Twitter or Instagram to discuss everything related to Star Wars and horror! (Informal, conversational style)

2024-09-14 00:39

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