Episode 36: The Babadook is actually grief, depression, trauma, and a fabulous queer icon
Explicit content warning
08/17/22 • 64 min
3 Listeners
Since Steph finally convinced Michael to watch the Babadook we found ourselves covering this absolutely terrifying film. We discuss why this film scares us so much, what the Babadook really represents (so many mental illnesses), and why Steph thinks the plot is actually a metaphor for therapy. Should we be proud of how brutally f**ked Australian horror/thriller is?
CONTENT WARNING:, Swearing, death of loved one, car accident, animal death, brief mention of infanticide & suicide, childhood trauma, horror themes, violence, Steph mentions Mulligrubs (not a joke).
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!
REFERENCES
Jennifer Kent interview: directing The Babadook | Den of Geek
Facing the Darkness of Life: Interview with The Babadook's Jennifer Kent - Diabolique Magazine
Horror Icon: Australian Filmmaker Jennifer Kent Is a Force to Be Reckoned With
The Babadook Ending Explained: What The Monster Really Means - Screenrant
The Ending Of The Babadook Explained
GOUT PAINTINGS:
NPG D12692; 'The gout' - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery
The introduction of gout. | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)
After Henry William Bunbury | Origin of the Gout | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)
Since Steph finally convinced Michael to watch the Babadook we found ourselves covering this absolutely terrifying film. We discuss why this film scares us so much, what the Babadook really represents (so many mental illnesses), and why Steph thinks the plot is actually a metaphor for therapy. Should we be proud of how brutally f**ked Australian horror/thriller is?
CONTENT WARNING:, Swearing, death of loved one, car accident, animal death, brief mention of infanticide & suicide, childhood trauma, horror themes, violence, Steph mentions Mulligrubs (not a joke).
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!
REFERENCES
Jennifer Kent interview: directing The Babadook | Den of Geek
Facing the Darkness of Life: Interview with The Babadook's Jennifer Kent - Diabolique Magazine
Horror Icon: Australian Filmmaker Jennifer Kent Is a Force to Be Reckoned With
The Babadook Ending Explained: What The Monster Really Means - Screenrant
The Ending Of The Babadook Explained
GOUT PAINTINGS:
NPG D12692; 'The gout' - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery
The introduction of gout. | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)
After Henry William Bunbury | Origin of the Gout | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)
Previous Episode
Episode 35: We Need To Talk About The Butterfly Effect
4 RecommendationsIt had to be done. After a Netflix watch party everyone voted for but nobody wanted, Steph and Michael decided they simply must make an episode talking about 2004’s absolutely ridiculous psychological thriller, The Butterfly Effect starring Ashton Kutcher. We change up the format today by breaking down the problematic tropes, themes and messages plotpoint by plotpoint, to really hit home why this is an absolutely terrible movie. It’s also quite traumatic and distressing, so be warned!!
CONTENT WARNING:, Lots of Swearing (in first 20 seconds sorry) suicide, childhood abuse and trauma, sexual assault & rape, animal cruelty, ableism,use of ableist terms, harmful portrayals of sex work, discussion of disability inspiration porn.
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for PILES, literal PILES of bonus content!
REFERENCES
The Butterfly Effect (2004) - IMDb
The Butterfly Effect (Film) - TV Tropes
How Ashton Kutcher Prepared For His Role In 'The Butterfly Effect' (thethings.com)
The Butterfly Effect – Ending Explained & Film Analysis – Blimey
The Butterfly Effect's Original Ending Was Ridiculously Grim (slashfilm.com)
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Next Episode
Episode 37: Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey and the psychology of abusive cults (with Merowyn Olaver)
1 RecommendationsFor Psychocinematic’s first foray into the documentary film, Steph discusses the Netflix documentary Keep Sweet Pray and Obey, with the inspiring (and multitasking) Merowyn Olaver, a nurse, writer, mental health & domestic violence advocate, breast cancer previvor, AND a mother as well.
Steph and Merowyn discuss the psychology of religion, how it differs from that of cults or cult-like structures, and of childhood sexual abuse and trafficking. We reflect on how this is explored in the doco with regard to the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, whether it is conveyed respectfully to the survivors, and where it perhaps goes wrong. Merowyn, who has been a front line worker during the Covid pandemic, is an absolute delight and should have her own podcast!
CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse and rape, including of children, domestic abuse and violence, religious trauma.
Convince Merowyn to make her own podcast (she has time, right?) by following her on instagram @nurse.merowyn and explore her amazing publications on her linktree. And donate to her LIPTEMBER page here: https://www.liptember.com.au/nursemerowyn !!
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!
REFERENCES:
- The Psychology Behind Cults | Discover Magazine
- Understanding Cults: The Basics | Psychology Today
- THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CULT EXPERIENCE - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
- Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Wikipedia
- Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints | Southern Poverty Law Center
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts
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