![]() Shane Hurlbut’s cinematography helps by frantically adapting to fit current moods – Cole’s chipper point of view when safe, ghost-hunter front perspective when panicked – while McG manipulates characters who are audacious and shallow enough to push superficial comedic boundaries without ever crossing lines energy spiked like a lit firework we can’t wait to see explode. Drake (cul-de-sac thugs), Jay-Z (bitches and problems), Limp Bizkit (badass Cole moments), Queen (a champion’s song), Taylor Swift (lame dad taking back his coolness) – background music is playlist-shuffle random, but cheekily addicting. Even if neighbors never show concern, fog rolls like a bayou bog and reality requires suspension.Īesthetically, McG’s tendency to overuse mainstream needle drops strikes more times than Chucky could stab you in thirty seconds. Nothing groundbreaking, but McG has an absolute blast telling one boy’s coming-of-age through satanic means. Cole is a loser in stereotypical regard and The Babysitter is all about an outsider conquering his fears. Hell, the film’s title card cues perfectly with Cole getting slo-mo socked by a thrown basketball in gym class (a soccer ball later). On the surface, early scenic schoolyard shots tease a typical nerds vs. Spin the bottle leads to a blood sacrifice, then sights shift towards Cole. ![]() The perfect night – until Cole goes to bed and Bree invites some friends over. Cole and Bree chat about who they’d pick for their Intergalactic Dream Team (Jeff Goldblum from Independence Day, my girl) and nosh on homemade pizza. He’s terrified of driving, defines himself as a “pussy” and still requests a babysitter – but who wouldn’t when your sitter looks or acts like Bee (Samara Weaving)? So – like with any other planned adult getaway (parents played by Leslie Bibb and Ken Marino) – Bree steps in to hold the fort while Mom and Dad enjoy some deserved alone time. Judah Lewis stars as an immature, anxiety-riddled bully target named Cole. Maybe they’re coming around on the ideals of eye candy promotion? This October is just full of surprises so far, and The Babysitter may be one of the most notable. ![]() Netflix even splurged for a seductive, neon-sweet poster that nails McG’s house-party-gone-hazardous tone. I’d be surprised if anyone knew Brian Duffield’s script had even been snagged off the yearly screenplay Black List – but rescued it has been. Netflix still doesn’t promote originals like The Babysitter as studios like WB or Universal might. If you were told “ McG directed a horror comedy for Netflix that subverts home invasion tropes and is a certified blast,” would you believe it? Would you be shocked and awed? Of course.
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