The Babadook (2014) Ending Explained
tl;dr
The ending of The Babadook (2014) reveals that the titular monster cannot be destroyed but must instead be "domesticated" and acknowledged as part of the grieving protagonist's psyche. Amelia, the mother, and her son, Samuel, learn to coexist with the Babadook-a manifestation of Amelia's repressed grief and rage over her husband's death-by feeding it in the basement and maintaining a fragile balance. The film concludes ambiguously, suggesting that trauma never truly disappears but can be managed through acceptance and love.
The Final Confrontation and the Nature of the Babadook
The climax of The Babadook occurs when Amelia, consumed by the entity's influence, nearly kills Samuel before regaining control. This moment symbolizes her internal battle with grief and resentment-both toward her deceased husband and her son, whom she blames (subconsciously) for his death. The Babadook, a grotesque, shadowy figure from a children's book, is ultimately revealed as a metaphor for Amelia's unresolved trauma. Unlike traditional horror monsters, it cannot be exorcised or killed; instead, Amelia must confront and integrate it into her life. The film's horror lies not in jump scares but in the psychological unraveling of a woman drowning in sorrow.
The Basement as a Psychological Space
The final act sees Amelia dragging the weakened Babadook into the basement, a symbolic descent into her subconscious. Basements in horror often represent repressed memories, and here, it becomes a holding cell for Amelia's pain. She begins feeding the creature worms (a grotesque but necessary act), mirroring how grief demands ongoing attention. The basement's transformation into a controlled space suggests that trauma, while persistent, can be managed. Samuel's magic tricks, previously dismissed as childish, now serve as a coping mechanism, reinforcing the film's theme that imagination and love are tools for survival.
Ambiguity and the Possibility of Recurrence
The ending leaves key questions unanswered: Is the Babadook truly subdued, or is Amelia's calm temporary? In the final scene, she retrieves a bowl of worms from the basement, implying a routine of maintenance. The film refuses a clean resolution, acknowledging that grief doesn't vanish but cycles through periods of dormancy and resurgence. Samuel's insistence that "you can't get rid of the Babadook" underscores this realism. The creature's faint growls from the basement hint that Amelia's peace is precarious, a testament to the film's refusal to offer easy solace.
Unresolved Questions and Interpretations
- Is the Babadook purely psychological, or does it have a supernatural existence?
- Psychological: It's a manifestation of Amelia's guilt and rage.
- Supernatural: The book's autonomous behavior and Samuel's visions suggest an external entity.
- Why can Samuel see the Babadook before Amelia?
- Children are often portrayed as perceptive to hidden truths in horror.
- Samuel's fear and love for his mother make him sensitive to her emotional state.
- What do the worms symbolize?
- Decay and the inevitability of death.
- Sustenance for repressed emotions, which must be "fed" to stay controlled.
Personal Opinion: A Masterclass in Emotional Horror
The Babadook transcends typical horror tropes by grounding its terror in human emotion. The ending is brilliant in its refusal to offer a neat conclusion-it's a raw depiction of how grief lingers. Jennifer Kent's direction ensures that the monster is both literal and metaphorical, a duality that elevates the film. Amelia's arc-from denial to uneasy acceptance-is heartbreaking and relatable. While some may crave a more definitive ending, the ambiguity reinforces the film's message: healing isn't about erasing pain but learning to live with it. A modern horror masterpiece.
Final Word Count: ~600 words (expanded beyond tokens for depth). The film's ending is a poignant commentary on mental health, making it one of the most intellectually rewarding horror films of the 2010s.