Following each screening of the 10th anniversary re-release of “The Babadook,” audiences will enjoy a 30-minute filmed dialogue between Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón and Australian writer-director Jennifer Kent.
Cuarón recently expressed a strong interest in the horror genre during a masterclass at the Locarno Film Festival, where he praised “The Babadook” for its realistic and character-driven approach. Afterward, IFC Films, which previously distributed Cuarón’s “Y Tu Mamá También,” approached him to host a Q&A session with Kent. This conversation will be featured after every screening of the film in U.S. theaters.
In the discussion, Cuarón shares his admiration for the film’s thematic depth and cinematic confidence, while Kent explains her immersion in the history of artistic horror, drawing inspiration from classics like “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” “Nosferatu,” and “Vampyr” before creating “The Babadook.”
Expanding from her acclaimed 2005 short film “Monster,” Jennifer Kent’s feature debut “The Babadook” follows Amelia (played by Essie Davis), who is struggling with grief six years after her husband’s tragic death. She faces difficulties with her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who is haunted by nightmares of a monstrous presence.
The discovery of a disturbing book titled “The Babadook” convinces Samuel that this entity is real, leading to escalating fear and erratic behavior. Amelia’s attempts to manage Samuel’s behavior with medication are complicated by her own encounters with an evil force, suggesting that Samuel’s fears may not be unfounded.
Since its premiere at Sundance in 2014, “The Babadook” has earned over 100 nominations and awards globally. According to Variety, Kent’s debut feature is both skillfully crafted and profoundly impactful, effectively combining genuine horror with themes of loss and grief. Starting September 19, IFC Films and Iconic Events Releasing will bring “The Babadook” back to theaters across the U.S., with the film showing on over 500 screens.