The Babadook sees Amelia reach her breaking point when Samuel begins to blame odd occurrences on the book’s creepy character. She opts to destroy the book, only to have the tattered pieces reappear on her doorstep days later after someone (or something) taped it back together. She opens it and sees that the words and illustrations in it have been altered to show her killing the family dog, her son, and herself.

The movie takes on a new form as Amelia begins to be haunted and then attacked by the Babadook. The viewer is taken on a chilling ride as the monster from the book plays on the widow’s most hurtful memories and deepest desires in an attempt to destroy her and the tattered remains of her family.