Amelia seems to resent Sam, blaming him for robbing her of the opportunity to make and keep adult friends but also her partner was killed driving her to hospital for Sam's birth.
One day she reads to Sam from a new and sinister children's book, "Mr Babadook" and his paranoia about the monster described within goes into overdrive. Nobody gets any sleep at night any more and shit starts to go sideways.
I've wanted to see this since release and its reputation is justified. It's much more than a straight horror about a monster that emerges from dark corners, it's a portrait of somebody unable to keep their shit together. It's using your inside voice with the friends you're drifting away from, it's kids being mean to each other, it's the heartless nature of bureaucracy, it's all your partner's stuff boxed up in the basement and unlike so much horror it has a satisfying ending.
The entire thing is built round the two performances which are stellar, especially the child playing Sam who deadpans the odd heartbreaking thing.
Highly recommended 8/10. Pretty creepy but not terrifying and not gory at all.