The Babadook is the scariest movie of all time according to William Friedkin

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

If you haven’t seen THE BABADOOK yet, it’s time to adjust the priorities in your life. There’s no doubt you’ve heard the hype – you can read The Arrow’s review HERE and my review HERE – but until you’ve sat down with it for yourself, you really don’t know what you’re missing out on. But just in case you needed a push further in the Jennifer Kent film’s direction, a very reliable source – one well-versed in terror – has come forward to help shove you.

William Friedkin, director of THE EXORCIST (as well as THE FRENCH CONNECTION, BUG and KILLER JOE) has declared THE BABADOOK “terrifying,” admitting it scared the hell out of him. In a series of extremely complimentary tweets, he even ranks it among the greatest of all time.

I’ve never seen a more terrifying film than THE BABADOOK.
It will scare the hell out of you as it did me.

— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) December 1, 2014

Psycho, Alien, Diabolique , and now THE BABADOOK.

— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) December 1, 2014

Babadook is in very few cinemas. Only one in LA!
Cinefamily. I don’t understand it. But it’s now
Available to rent on iTunes.

— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) December 1, 2014

High praise from someone who most believe actually did direct the scariest movie ever made. (And for my money, THE EXORCIST indeed still wears the crown.)

As Friedkin notes, THE BABADOOK is still only in a handful of theaters (see the full list HERE) in the U.S., but IFC Midnight plans on expanding it soon. In the meantime, it’s available on VOD, so get on it now before you’re the last person you know to experience it.

Friedkin directing Jason Miller on the set of THE EXORCIST