October has arrived, and as we gear up for the 31st, many of us are focused on curating our Halloween marathons. Some are planning to watch a specific movie on Halloween night, while others craft a lineup to enjoy one title each day leading up to the big night.
Streaming platforms have taken note of this trend, dedicating the year to building the ultimate catalog filled with classics, recently released productions, and original pictures to keep us on the edge of our seats during this spooky season!
This brings us to a special question for each streaming service: What is the #1 scariest horror film on their platform? For Netflix, their highest-rated flick boasts a perfect 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and draws inspiration from a well-known children’s tale designed to encourage good behavior.
The scariest movie on Netflix is ‘The Babadook’
The film that stands out as Netflix’s scariest, according to both critics and audiences in the Rotten Tomatoes community, is “The Babadook.” It’s quite impressive that it retains this title as it approaches its tenth anniversary in 2024!
This psychological horror picture follows Amelia, a widowed mother struggling with the challenges of raising her troubled six-year-old son, Samuel, who suffers from violent outbursts and haunting visions. Their lives take a dark turn when they discover a mysterious book titled Mister Babadook. As the tale unfolds, Samuel becomes convinced that the sinister figure is real, and soon Amelia begins to experience terrifying supernatural events herself.
“The Babadook” strikes a perfect balance between jumpscares and profound terror, exploring themes of parenting, grief, and the fear of madness, all while showcasing frightening imagery that catches viewers off guard, making them jump from their seats.
The term “Babadook” is a creation of director Jennifer Kent, inspired by the Serbo-Croatian word for boogeyman: Babaroga. As is widely known, the boogeyman is a creature-like monster in English folklore often used to scare misbehaving children. According to the Myth and Folklore Wiki, these entities can be divided into three categories: those that punish misbehaved children, those that are more violent, and those that protect the innocent. All share the common purpose of teaching the youngest valuable lessons.
In the movie, the creature serves as a metaphor for Amelia’s grief, trauma, and suppressed emotions. As she tries to repress her emotions, the Babadook grows stronger, symbolizing how such feelings, when left unaddressed, can take control of a person’s life. How does she confront this darkness? Watch the title on Netflix to find out!
