A Dive into the Darkly Comic World of “The Babysitter”
In our “Fright Night Files” section, we bring you reviews of horror films that, for various reasons, might have slipped under the radar of mainstream cinema releases.
Meet Cole (Judah Lewis), your typical underdog. He’s the kind of kid who’s easy to pick on – physically weak, shy, and unable to stand up for himself. His saving grace? His stunningly cool babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving). She treats him like an equal and always makes babysitting nights something to look forward to. After learning that many babysitters invite their boyfriends over during these “duty” nights, Cole decides to stay awake and spy on Bee. Little did he know, his babysitter is part of a cult, and tonight, in his very living room, she and her deranged friends are planning a bloody sacrifice…
We’re living in a fascinating era where the way we consume – and even create – movies is rapidly changing. It feels like just yesterday that news of A-list stars signing on for TV series was considered groundbreaking. Now, no one bats an eye when celebrities like Will Smith, Brad Pitt, and Adam Sandler take on leading roles in films made specifically for online streaming services, bypassing traditional theatrical releases. Netflix, the giant in the online movie arena, recently announced that 2018 would be a banner year, with plans to produce a staggering 80 full-length feature films. And if “The Babysitter” is anything to go by, this could pose a serious challenge to the theatrical film industry, where the focus on repetitive, “comic book-esque” content becomes more apparent each year.
While “The Babysitter” doesn’t boast any established A-list stars (though the captivating Samara Weaving is rapidly rising, following a similar trajectory to Margot Robbie), the film does have a notable name behind the camera. Director McG, formerly a music video maestro, burst onto the scene with the hit “Charlie’s Angels” duology. However, he struggled to replicate that success, with films like “Terminator Salvation,” “This Means War,” and “3 Days to Kill” barely breaking even at the box office, despite being far from terrible.
A Retro Horror Homage
With “The Babysitter,” McG ventures into new territory: a darkly comedic thriller with gory murders, infused with the trendy retro spirit of 80s horror. While McG avoids the supernatural, the film evokes memories of “Fright Night” and “The Gate” – genuine horror films centered around teenagers. To be fair, “The Babysitter” feels a bit contrived and artificial in comparison, but it’s not a cheap knock-off. Instead, it’s a sincere attempt to play the old-school game with modern rules. The pace is faster, the gags are denser, and the adrenaline is higher – often at the expense of basic logic and plausibility (Cole repeatedly escapes the house, but instead of running for the Canadian border to escape the crazy killers, he just circles around).
More Than Just Blood and Guts
Nevertheless, “The Babysitter” is more than just a rehash of tired tropes. McG makes a film not only about how scary and funny blood splatters can be, but also about the difficulties of being a teenage outcast, and in this regard, the film is absolutely unique. What makes “The Babysitter” work are the relationships that develop between Cole and Bee – yes, she’s a ruthless maniac, but she seems genuinely interested in and fond of her charge. Despite her actions, she treats him with warmth and respect, making Cole’s puppy-like, platonic infatuation all the more complicated and painful. After all, this isn’t just a battle for survival; it’s a battle against one of the dearest and closest people in his life! The way McG subtly and unobtrusively weaves this into the film elevates “The Babysitter” beyond just another comedic horror flick. The scenes where Cole and Bee have heart-to-heart talks are just as memorable, if not more so, than the shotgun-blasted heads and bullet-riddled silicone breasts.