How The Babadook became a LGBT icon

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

I'm sure this is not the first article you are reading on the currently trending topic of Jennifer Kent's neo-classic fright flick THE BABADOOK becoming an LGBT sensation overnight. That said, maybe you are at a loss for the reason behind the whole thing.

Let me explain.

Okay, so Netflix made a mistake(?) and uploaded the horror movie to the LGBT section of their streaming service. A Tumbler user named Taco Bell Rey then took a screenshot and uploaded it, causing Tumblr to lose their sh*t. It took over the site way back in January and only seems to have broken out wide this June. 

I don't know what to make of this.

I think the pics are funny, and the way the internet can take a mistake and run with it until it is a trending topic is an interesting phenomenon to me.

A writer named Dean Eastwood even wrote up this whole thing that explains why THE BABADOOK becoming a gay icon isn't surprising at all. Again, I don't know what to make of all of this, but you can read his comments below:

Dean Eastwood on THE BABADOOK:

The Babadook ultimately tells an LGBT narrative of being cast to the shadows, manifesting identities in closets and, to live up to modern stereotypes, wearing all black. In the end, the creature’s monster-like identity and traits are subdued when *spoiler alert* he comes out of his shadows and shares his truth with those he loves. Sound familiar? Despite the meme merely picking fun in the internet’s reaction to nearly anything LGBT related, despite how trivial or serious, there are arguably parallels that follow the Babadook — a lonely, confused and misunderstood creature often depicted as a monster — and the LGBT community. In an age where coming out is still tough and the notion of suppressed identities and mental health issues are still strife within the community, the brief skeleton of the Babadook story — like many a ‘tortured soul’ storyline — may be considered a little too close to home for a community where more than half of LGBT pupils have experienced direct bullying and where gay men are three times more likely than heterosexual men to suffer from depression.

Truthfully, I just want to hear what writer-director Jennifer Kent has to say about all of this. Maybe I'll let you guys know once I hear anything. What do you think of this new trend? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!

THE BABDOOK is available to stream on Netflix RIGHT HERE.