The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook (2014): written and directed by Jennifer Kent; starring Essie Davis (Amelia), Noah Wiseman (Sam), and Barbara West (Mrs. Roach): A truly great Australian horror movie that rewards multiple viewings and supports multiple interpretations while also being Scary As Hell. 

A troubled six-year-old boy's imaginary friend may be neither imaginary nor friend. Or is his troubled mother suffering from the depression she's been fighting ever since the boy's father died on the way to the hospital on the day of the boy's birth? Is there really a Babadook? And where did the Babadook get that snazzy hat? 

Among other things, The Babadook suggests a mash-up of Roman Polanski's Repulsion, Home Alone, The Bad Seed, and an Australian children's TV series called Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. In any case, it's a fine movie -- a new classic of intelligent horror. Highly recommended.