‘I threw myself into that grief’: How The Babadook became an Australian horror classic

The AgeIndependentCenter11 hr. ago

Writer-director Jennifer Kent reflects on the enduring legacy of her debut feature, The Babadook, which has evolved into an Australian cultural icon and a staple of Halloween screenings. Kent attributes the film’s emotional resonance to her personal grief over the death of her father, stating that she channeled those feelings into the script about a struggling mother and her son. The article notes that the film is currently being highlighted through a Halloween season at the Sydney Opera House and a puppetry exhibition titled 'Lifelike' at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Additionally, Kent discusses her upcoming project, The Girl Who Was Plugged In, a science-fiction adaptation exploring themes of technological dehumanization, which follows her recent work on the Netflix series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses entirely on film history, artistic process, and current cultural exhibitions. There is no discussion of political policy, partisan conflict, or governance. The mention of 'big tech corporations' in relation to a fictional plot point does not constitute political commentary on the

The Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenter11 hr. ago

Writer-director Jennifer Kent reflects on the enduring legacy of her debut feature, The Babadook, which has evolved into an Australian cultural icon and a staple of Halloween screenings. Kent attributes the film’s emotional resonance to her personal grief over the recent death of her father, stating that she channeled this sorrow into the script about a struggling mother and her son. The article notes that the film is currently being highlighted through a Halloween season at the Sydney Opera House and a puppetry exhibition titled 'Lifelike' at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Looking ahead, Kent is preparing to direct The Girl Who Was Plugged In, a science-fiction adaptation exploring themes of technological dehumanization, starring Sophie Thatcher. This project follows her recent work on the Netflix series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. The piece situates The Babadook within the broader history of Australian horror, distinguishing its psychological approach from earlier 'Ozploitation' genres.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on film criticism, artistic process, and cultural heritage rather than political policy or partisan issues. While it mentions 'big tech corporations' in the context of a new movie plot, this is thematic to the fiction discussed and does not constitute political commentary. The ap