Interviews
Director Jennifer Kent Comments on Those LGBTQ ‘Babadook’ Memes [Interview]
Back in 2017, you may recall, The Babadook became an LGBTQ icon when Netflix’s algorithm recommended the film to viewers interested in gay cinema. Writer/director Jennifer Kent had not commented on the memes at the time, but Bloody-Disgusting spoke to her at Sundance for her new film The Nightingale (read our review) and we couldn’t help but bring them up.
Reflecting on the phenomenon, Kent remained pleasantly surprised that The Babadook took off in the gay community, finding new relevance through the Netflix algorithm.
“That was mad,” Kent said. “That was crazy.”
“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.”
The gay Babadook memes were the most viral The Babadook got, but the social media love began way back when the movie first came out. It was a big hit in 2014 so lots of public figures in the entertainment industry commented on the film at the time, and Kent was particularly fond of Jordan Peele’s reaction to her debut feature (shared below).
“Did you see that Jordan Peele tweet that he did, an emoticon tweet of the whole story of Babadook?” Kent asked us. “It was pretty funny.”
Sundance just held the North American premiere of Kent’s second film, The Nightingale, after it had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The Nightingale is not a monster movie, but features monstrous human violence. IFC will release The Nightingale this summer.
The Babadook
(Spoilers)
🚘👸👨💀
👸🙇
👸📕🙇
🎩
👹
👸✂️📕
👸📺
🙇🌳💁🎁
🚘👸🙇😫
👸💊🙇💤
👸🚪📕
👸🔥📕
👸👮👮👮
👸🐜
🎩
👹👵👀👸
🎩
👹🚪👸
🚗💥🚙
🛀
🎩
👸📺🐶💀
🙇📞👵
🎩
👸✂️☎️
🎩
👸🔪🎯🙇
👨
🎩
👹👊👸🙇
👸🍝👹
👸🙇🐦— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) December 2, 2014
As the inaugural season of Apple TV+’s stellar new series “Widow’s Bay” barrels toward its finale in two weeks, the latest episode gives Kate O’Flynn the spotlight as her character revisits her trauma with the Boogeyman.
“Your Baggage“, directed by Andrew DeYoung (Friendship), sees O’Flynn’s scene-stealing Patricia once again renew her fight with the Michael Myers-like stalker that slaughtered her peers during her adolescence. Thrillingly, it makes for one extended chase sequence that sees Patricia trying to warn others, while evading the undead killer.
In short, this episode’s incredible riff on Halloween and the slasher subgenre transformed Patricia into a fierce Final Girl.
“Well, that felt like a bucket list that I didn’t know was on my bucket list until I did it, but when I did it, I just lapped up every minute,” O’Flynn tells Bloody Disgusting of her triumphant turn this episode. “It felt fantastic for her to get that moment where she is becoming a badass. That was amazing.”
The actress turned to a few notable references for her performance. “Horror-wise, I go back to my youth, which was referenced in some of the episodes: Wicker Man, Carrie, and Rosemary’s Baby, that sort of thing is my kind of vibe.”
O’Flynn also notes how the series’ unique tone allows for so much creative freedom to make bold swings. “There’s something very freeing about it. Every moment is up for grabs, so it’s like we don’t have to totally land in one direction or another. It keeps it alive.“
Patricia is the eccentric assistant to Matthew Rhys‘ Mayor Tom Loftis, who’s at the forefront of trying to solve the island’s pesky curse predicament. Rhys felt the same about “Widow’s Bay” and its rare ability to make you laugh and scream in equal measure, stemming from series creator Katie Dippold.
“The mandate was, ‘It’s a real world with real people. You play for real.’ There’s no playing for comedy or horror,” Rhys echoes O’Flynn’s sentiments on how freeing the series’ tone has been.
New episodes will release every Wednesday through June 17 only on Apple TV+.
Kate O’Flynn in “Widow’s Bay,” now streaming on Apple TV.
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