The Babadook itself was created by a team of puppeteers and costume designers, who worked closely with Kent to bring the monster to life. The Babadook's design was inspired by a combination of traditional monsters from children's literature and Kent's own nightmares. The film's cinematographer, Radek Ladczuk, used a combination of lighting and camera angles to create a sense of unease and disorientation, reflecting the characters' emotional states.
The film's score was composed by Jed Kurzel, who used a combination of traditional instruments and electronic elements to create a sense of tension and unease. Kurzel wanted the score to reflect the characters' emotional journeys and to create a sense of uncertainty and fear.
In comparison to "The Babadook," the Disney movie about a small elephant with giant ears, "Dumbo" (2019), also explores themes of loss and isolation. However, while "The Babadook" delves into the darker aspects of grief and trauma, "Dumbo" takes a more lighthearted approach, using the titular character's oversized ears as a metaphor for the power of imagination and resilience. Both films feature strong performances from their leads, with Essie Davis in "The Babadook" and Colin Farrell in "Dumbo" delivering nuanced and emotional performances.
Ultimately, while both films deal with difficult themes, they approach them from different perspectives. "The Babadook" offers a more intense and psychological exploration of grief, while "Dumbo" takes a more family-friendly and uplifting approach. The Babadook's use of horror elements and a darker tone creates a more unsettling and thought-provoking experience for the audience, while Dumbo's use of fantasy and a more hopeful message provides a more entertaining and heartwarming film.