'One of the best horror films of the 21st Century' free to stream on its 10th anniversary

Netflix is set to send shivers down the spine of horror enthusiasts this Halloween, having just dropped one of the most groundbreaking supernatural thrillers the 21st Century has witnessed.

Released to thunderous applause back in 2014, this Australian nail-biter is touted as one of the most "inventive" horrors of late and a film that succeeded in sending genuine shudders through its viewers.

Boasting a stellar 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics, it's also given rise to a legion of Halloween get-ups.

Helmed by visionary Aussie director Jennifer Kent, The Babadook is pegged as a must-watch during your hair-raising October movie sessions.

It features Essie Davis in a riveting portrayal as the besieged single mum Amelia, who grapples with her reality unraveling when her son Samuel (played by Noah Wiseman) obsesses over a malevolent force hiding in their home, spawning from a sinister children's storybook, reports the Mirror.

The flick's debut a decade ago was met with hails from leading reviewers, branding The Babadook not just an exceptional horror outing for the year, but as one of the standout movies of 2014 altogether.

Cinemablend commended the movie, saying: "With scares that will have audiences hiding behind their hands or shrieking for help, The Babadook is easily the best horror film of 2014.

"But bolstered by knockout performances, and a mind-bending narrative beautifully shot and colored, The Babadook is so much more. It's one of the best films of the year."

RogerEbert.com hailed the film, proclaiming it "The finest and most genuinely provocative horror movie to emerge in this still very-new century."

Reflecting on the impact of the film, a 2022 Parade retrospective honoured it as "still the best horror movie so far this century."

Praising its impact, the article described the film as a "uniquely terrifying and unnerving experience", noted for its "stunning psychological depth" and "climb-the-walls, scare-the-peanuts-out-of-your-M&Ms-scary" monster design.

The Babadook has also garnered a sizeable fanbase amongst the public over the past decade, with many voices online lauding the film's merits.

A fervent supporter expressed their awe on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "Long overdue, but watched THE BABADOOK for the first time and I can't pull my jaw from the floor."

They continued, highlighting the unexpected emotional depth, "Everyone talks about how scary this movie is but I am utterly flummoxed at how emotional and affective it is. One of the best horrors I've seen...ever? Jennifer Kent, you goddamn genius."

Adding to the chorus, a Reddit user shared their commendation: "The Babadook (2014) is one of the best horror films I've ever seen."

They detailed their experience further: "Having heard nothing but good things about The Babadook I went in with high expectations but it managed to meet my expectations and exceed them in multiple ways.

"I already knew that this was not a monster movie. This is a psychological horror and I'd easily put it up there with the likes of The Shining and Repulsion as one of the best psychological horrors ever made."

With such praise, the question stands: Are you ready to confront The Babadook this Halloween?

The Babadook is available to stream on Netflix.