The chilling whispers have returned. Years after Amelia and her son Samuel confronted the monstrous entity from the pop-up book, a new wave of terror washes over. The teaser trailer for “The Babadook 2,” releasing in 2024, promises a descent back into the psychological abyss first explored in the critically acclaimed original.

Gone are the days of childhood innocence for Samuel. The trauma of their encounter with the Babadook lingers, a shadow stretching across his adolescence. The teaser itself is a masterclass in unsettling suspense. We see glimpses of a now-teenage Samuel, haunted by flickering lights and distorted reflections. His once-frantic mother, Amelia, appears hardened by years of unseen struggles. Her eyes, however, still hold a flicker of fear, a chilling reminder that the Babadook’s grip may not have loosened entirely.

The trailer itself is devoid of jump scares, opting for a slow-burn approach that relies on building dread. Whispers, barely audible, seem to emanate from the darkness, carrying a message only Samuel can decipher. Is it his own repressed fear, or a malevolent presence stirring once more? The monstrous top hat and clawed hand, iconic symbols of the Babadook, flicker in the periphery of shots, a constant reminder that some nightmares refuse to stay buried.

“The Babadook 2” appears poised to be a worthy successor to its predecessor. With its focus on the lingering effects of trauma and the chilling possibility that the Babadook’s evil may be cyclical, it promises to deliver a fresh brand of terror that will leave audiences both thrilled and deeply unsettled.