There Will Not Be A Sequel To 'The Babadook'

The horror genre thrives on sequels. The instant a filmmaker creates some kind of interesting, iconic villain or scenario, it is pillaged and marketed into oblivion. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's just the way it goes. Sequels print money. Often, too, they happen because the filmmaker is new to the game and signs away any rights just to get their first film into theaters.

Both of those scenarios would've made sense with Jennifer Kent's The Babadook. The terrifying, super-smart horror film is currently in theaters and on demand and it not only has a wonderful, creative hook and villain, it's by a first time director. Those two facts make it seem like a sequel would be likely. However, Kent has definitely said there will never be a Babadook 2. Read why below.

Kent was talking to IGN about The Bababook and they asked about the possibility of a sequel. (Note: Because the film is still in theaters, and you should see it, we won't discuss the end of the movie and its bearing on the hypothetical sequel). Here's Kent:

The good news is, I had the foresight to make sure that my producer and I owned the rights to any sequels. The reason for that is I will never allow any sequel to be made, because it's not that kind of film. I don't care how much I'm offered, it's just not going to happen. [Laughs]

While there is definitely a way, like any other film, you could do a follow up to The Babadook, I'm glad Kent is so against it. Any kind of follow up would pretty much remove any of the power the first film has. But not as a horror film mind you. The scares and tension would be there no matter what. A sequel would undermine its commentary on what it means to be a single parent. That's where The Babadook's true power lies.

Are you surprised or happy we won't see The Babadook 2?