The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on 17 January, and generated attention in the United States and Europe, grossing $10 million against a $2 million budget. The titular monster and special effects were created with stop motion and handmade practical effects, and the score was composed by Jed Kurzel. During filming, the crew worked to ensure six-year old Wiseman was protected from the challenging subject matter of the film. Filming took place in Adelaide, where Kent drew from experiences as a production assistant on Lars von Trier's Dogville.
Financing was secured through Australian government grants and partly through crowdfunding. Kent began developing the screenplay in 2009, intending to explore parenting and fear of madness in the film's story. It is based on Kent's 2005 short film Monster, which follows a single mother who must confront her son's fear of a monster in their home. The film stars Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Barbara West, and Ben Winspear. The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent in her directorial debut, and produced by Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere.
