The Babadook 2

A Terrifying Return to the Darkest Corners of the Mind

In 2014, The Babadook terrified audiences worldwide with its haunting exploration of grief, motherhood, and the psychological horrors that dwell within the human mind. The film, directed by Jennifer Kent, quickly became a modern horror classic, with the character of the Babadook itself becoming a symbol of dark, unresolved trauma. Now, over a decade later, The Babadook 2 (2025) emerges, promising to delve even deeper into the terrifying world of psychological terror, this time with a new generation facing the same haunting presence.

The Story: Unfinished Business

The Babadook 2 picks up many years after the chilling events of the first film. Amelia (played by Essie Davis) has moved on from the horrific experiences with her son Samuel, though she is still haunted by the memories. However, the true nightmare has only just begun. Amelia’s life has settled into a fragile sense of normalcy, but when her son, now a teenager, begins experiencing strange occurrences, old fears resurface. The Babadook, the monstrous entity that tormented their family, might not be gone after all.

The film introduces a new protagonist, **Claire (played by Florence Pugh), a young mother struggling with her own feelings of isolation and the overwhelming responsibilities of parenthood. Claire has recently moved into a new house with her young son, Lucas, hoping to start fresh. However, strange occurrences in the house begin to surface. Much like Amelia, Claire feels as though the supernatural forces at play may have something to do with her own internal struggles, particularly with her fear of being a bad mother.

When Lucas comes across a mysterious pop-up book titled "The Babadook," much like the one that once haunted Amelia, Claire is drawn into a new cycle of horror. The Babadook isn’t just a monster—it’s an entity born from grief and fear, and Claire’s own unresolved trauma makes her a prime target. As the entity begins to torment Claire and Lucas, she must confront the darkness within herself and fight the creature that threatens to consume them both.

A New Generation of Fear

While The Babadook 2 introduces new characters and a fresh storyline, it doesn’t abandon the psychological depth that made the first film so effective. The theme of motherhood remains central to the narrative. Claire, like Amelia, must navigate the complexities of parenthood, but this time, the psychological terror is not solely about grief. It’s about the lingering effects of unresolved trauma and how the monster takes on different forms with each generation.

The film also explores the nature of fear—both internal and external. Just like the first movie, where the Babadook was a manifestation of Amelia’s grief over the loss of her husband, The Babadook 2 shows how emotional and psychological trauma can give birth to terrifying, otherworldly entities. The Babadook’s power is rooted not in the supernatural, but in the very real horrors of everyday life: mental illness, loneliness, the weight of responsibility, and the fear of failure as a parent.

As Claire begins to unravel the mystery of the Babadook, she faces the horrific realization that she, like Amelia, must find a way to accept and confront the monster in order to protect her son. The Babadook cannot be defeated through force; it must be acknowledged, understood, and lived with. This theme of acceptance and understanding is what makes the film so chillingly poignant—it’s not just a fight against a monster, but a fight to understand oneself.

A Darker, More Complex Narrative

Director Jennifer Kent returns to the helm for The Babadook 2, once again proving her mastery of atmospheric horror. The sequel’s tone is even more somber and eerie, with an increased focus on psychological tension. Kent doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares or gore—rather, the horror emerges from a creeping sense of dread, where the true terror lies in the characters' inability to escape their own minds.

In The Babadook 2, Kent deepens the exploration of how trauma manifests, both as a personal struggle and a generational curse. Amelia’s son, Samuel, now grown and dealing with his own issues, becomes an important part of the story, as his past experiences with the Babadook shape his perception of reality. His own trauma, combined with his childhood memories, plays a significant role in helping Claire come to terms with her fears.

While the original film was tightly focused on a single mother and her son, The Babadook 2 expands the scope of the horror, exploring how trauma can affect multiple generations, leading to a more nuanced, layered narrative. It’s a meditation on how the sins, fears, and emotional baggage of one generation can shape the next, creating a cycle of suffering that is difficult to escape.

The Babadook: More Than Just a Monster

The Babadook itself remains a central figure in the sequel, but it evolves in The Babadook 2. This time, the entity is more than just a creature of terror—it’s a symbol of the darkest aspects of the human psyche. It is not just an external force, but a manifestation of the worst fears and unspoken grief that can fester in the mind. As Claire faces the Babadook, she must contend with not only the terror it brings, but with the guilt, anxiety, and shame that it represents.

The film leans heavily into the symbolic nature of the Babadook, which stands for repressed emotions and unresolved trauma. It is a reflection of the mind's darkest corners—a monster that feeds on neglect, fear, and pain. While it terrorizes the characters, it also serves as a metaphor for the way we push away uncomfortable truths and how those truths can turn against us when we refuse to confront them.

A Powerful Cast and Performances

The film’s success is also propelled by its cast, led by Florence Pugh as Claire. Pugh’s ability to convey a mix of vulnerability and strength is essential to making Claire a relatable and sympathetic character. Her emotional range adds layers to the film, particularly as Claire grapples with her own insecurities as a mother.

Essie Davis returns as Amelia, now a mentor figure to Claire. While her role is smaller than in the first film, her presence is felt deeply, particularly as she helps Claire come to terms with the past. Her performance remains haunting, embodying the emotional scars that the original Babadook explored so poignantly.

The young actor portraying Lucas, Noah Jupe, delivers a standout performance, capturing the fear and confusion of a child caught in a terrifying situation. His vulnerability enhances the film’s emotional weight, making the stakes feel all the more dire.

A Cinematic Experience

The visual style of The Babadook 2 is as haunting and atmospheric as its predecessor. The muted color palette, dim lighting, and carefully crafted sound design all contribute to the film’s sense of unease. The Babadook’s presence, while ever-looming, is often subtle, lurking just beyond view, emphasizing the psychological horror over the supernatural.

Kent’s direction ensures that the film never becomes overly reliant on visual effects or shock value. Instead, the terror is rooted in the quiet moments of tension, where the audience feels the weight of Claire’s fear, guilt, and growing realization that the monster she’s facing is a part of her—and a part of her past.

Conclusion: A Terrifying, Thought-Provoking Sequel

The Babadook 2 (2025) is more than just a sequel—it’s a chilling continuation of the themes and ideas that made the original so unforgettable. By expanding the scope of the narrative and deepening the exploration of trauma, grief, and motherhood, the film takes the psychological horror genre to new heights.

It’s a testament to Jennifer Kent’s filmmaking that The Babadook 2 continues to haunt and provoke long after the credits roll. With its dark, atmospheric tone, powerful performances, and exploration of the human psyche, the film stands as one of the most thought-provoking horror films of the decade—a terrifying reminder that the monsters we fear the most are often the ones that live inside us.