Babadook Director Addresses Her Character's Gay Icon Status: 'Ah, You Bastard'

By Rich Juzwiak  |  January 30, 2019 | 10:20pm
Entertainment

While promoting her new film at Sundance, the thus-far-well-received revenge flick The Nightingale, director Jennifer Kent discussed her feelings regarding the meme-led revising of the titular character of her last film, 2014’s The Babadook, as a gay icon. The designation started as a nonsensical in-joke that became so persistent and widespread that it came true or something like that.

In an interview with horror website Bloody Disgusting, Kent is described as having been “surprised” that the Babadook became the queer boogeyman that we night right now two years ago. Additionally:

“Of course, I love that story,” she continued. “I think it’s crazy and just kept him alive. I thought ah, you bastard. He doesn’t want to die so he’s finding ways to become relevant.”

This is a very sharp postmodern interpretation of the author’s own text and its reception. Jennifer Kent rules.

 
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