


The Babysitter
Overprotective mother Liz Benedict meets 18-year-old orphan Joanna Redwine and hires her as house help and live-in companion to rambunctious daughter Tara. Liz's husband Jeff isn't too thrilled with the arrangement, and his fears soon prove justified when Joanna begins to manipulate everyone and to slowly destroy the family. Meanwhile, next-door neighbor Dr. Linquist investigates and discovers Joanna has a disturbing past.
Insights
Plot Summary
A married architect, Gene Huckaby, becomes obsessed with a young, alluring woman named Rita, who he hires as a babysitter for his child. His infatuation quickly spirals into a dangerous fixation, blurring the lines between reality and his increasingly unhealthy desires. The situation escalates, putting Gene's family and his own life at severe risk as Rita reveals a more sinister agenda.
Critical Reception
The Babysitter is a made-for-television horror film that garnered a mixed to negative reception. While it aimed for suspense and psychological thrills, critics and audiences often found its plot predictable and its characters underdeveloped. William Shatner's performance was a point of discussion, with some finding his portrayal of obsession compelling and others deeming it over-the-top. The film is generally considered a lesser entry in Dan Curtis's filmography.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its attempt at psychological horror and suspense.
- Criticized for a predictable plot and weak character development.
- William Shatner's performance often cited as a mixed element.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Babysitter' is largely unavailable due to its nature as an older made-for-television film. However, where reviews exist, they often echo critical sentiments regarding its predictable narrative and less-than-stellar execution.
Fun Fact
The film was made for television and originally aired on ABC as a movie-of-the-week.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
My Review
TMDB Reviews
1 reviews