The Babadook (2014)

"Modern Classic Gets the Second Sight Treatment"

Oh yes, Jennifer Kent's debut feature is getting a lovely limited edition Blu-ray and 4K UHD release from Second Sight that includes the film on both formats (two discs) and a 150 page book featuring new essays on the film from six writers, an archive interview with Jennifer Kent, plus stills and artwork, all housed in one of Second Sight's smart rigid slipcases with new artwork from Peter Diamond.

Amelia (Essie Davis) is a single mother having a hard time dealing with the behaviour of her son Samuel, whose seventh birthday is approaching. Unfortunately the day Samuel was born was the day Amelia's husband was killed and so the concept of celebrating the occasion only increases the tremendous grief she still feels.

Samuel is convinced a monster is coming to get him and has built weapons to fight it, even going so far as to take one to school, for which he gets into trouble. Does the mysterious picture book that tells the story of Mister Babadook hold the answer to Samuel's fears? Or is it there to unleash further horrors?

A big hit when it was screened at London's Frightfest, where Essie Davis introduced the film, Jennifer Kent's movie works on numerous levels, of which the idea of a monster coming out of a book is the most superficial. In fact there's so much to unpack and discuss here that it's not surprising Second Sight's disc comes with so many special features.

These include a commentary track from Alexandra Heller-Nicholas & Josh Nelson, interviews with actors Essie Davis and Hayley McElhinney, producers Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere, editor Simon Njoo, production designer Alex Holmes, composer Jed Kurzel, and Alex Juhasz who designed the storybook and illustrations. You also get featurettes on the special effects, stunts, creating the book, and Jennifer Kent's 2005 short film MONSTER.

Second Sight's dual format 4K UHD and Blu-ray release of THE BABADOOK is up to their usual excellent standard. In fact it's one of the best of their series of these special releases with an excellent transfer and loads of extras. Put it on the shelf right next to their edition of THE NIGHTINGALE.