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Internet Culture

The Babadook, LGBTQ folk hero, gets a Pride-themed limited edition Blu-ray

The Babadook is back—and gayer than ever.

Photo of Nahila Bonfiglio

Nahila Bonfiglio

Pride edition of the Babadook

In celebration of fictional monster Mister Babadook’s status as an unofficial gay mascot, IFC Midnight and Shout! Factory are releasing a Pride-themed limited edition of 2014 Australian film The Babadook. 

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It’s the gayest version yet of the film, which inspired an entire chapter of queer internet folklore.

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As far as internet sleuths can tell, Mister Babadook’s status in the gay community started with a simple error on Netflix. In its early days on the streaming platform, the horror flick was miscategorized under the LGBT category. While the error was eventually fixed by Netflix, it was too late. The gay community had claimed the top-hatted monster as one of their own.

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Despite no indication in the film that the shadowy manifestation of grief and loss is a homosexual, people online began circulating theories about the Babadook’s place in the LGBTQ community. Illustrations, stories, and music centering around the fabulous monster overtook any alternate theories. Whether or not Mister Babadook was gay before the internet got ahold of him, he sure as heck is now.

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A portion of all proceeds from the special editions of The Babadook goes to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, according to IFC Midnight’s tweet. Only 2,500 copies of the special edition Blu-ray—rainbow slipcover and all—are available. The offer only continues through Pride Month (June), so if you like your homicidal monsters in full-rainbow mode, we’d suggest you move quickly.

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H/T Vulture

 
The Daily Dot