Devious Deeds

This film is a thriller that gets a lot right but stumbles just enough to keep it from being a standout. The setup is solid-a seemingly simple babysitting job turns into a night of tension and fear. The film excels in building suspense, with a few genuinely nerve-wracking moments that had me on edge. The lead performance is commendable, adding depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. However, the plot doesn't quite deliver on its initial promise. The twists are a bit predictable, and some of the scares feel more like routine jumps than genuine frights. Additionally, the pacing drags in the middle, losing some of the momentum it worked hard to build. While Don't Kill the Babysitter is an enjoyable watch for a casual night in, it doesn't leave a lasting impact. It's a decent entry in the genre but doesn't break new ground.

Mariela is determined to leave her native Venezuela for the United States but is struggling to secure an au pair job until she meets Chase and Lori Collins. After a successful video interview, the couple hires Mariela to care for their young daughter, Abbey, and arranges for Mariela to stay in their home. When Mariela arrives, she finds everything about the family is perfect except that Chase and Lori are a bit overprotective with Abbey. One night, while Mariela and Abbey are playing hide and seek, a suspicious man breaks in and warns Mariela that "not everything is as it seems." Shaken, Mariela starts to notice odd things about the Collins-from Lori's constant cough attacks to a secret locked door in Chase's office-and shares her concerns with her new friend, Sarah, who is a nurse. Concerned for Lori's health, Mariela recommends that Chase interview Sarah for a caretaker job. But then Sarah gets killed ... And Mariela's life is in danger.

An above average thriller that ticks all the boxes, has some creepy atmosphere in the house and woods, keeps its cards close to its chest - the finale is genuinely suspenseful, thorough the doctor's secret operation bunker is like a Bond villain's lair - well not quite. It kept my attention and was well acted by all.

I expected very little from a movie called Don't Kill the Babysitter but it was quite good! If you enjoy Lifetime thrillers, this one is worth the watch. Many Lifetime thrillers are a bit predictable but this one had me going the whole way through. I couldn't figure out the endgame of the one I suspected of being a villain. It wasn't that simple. Twists and turns continued throughout the movie leading me to be shocked when all was revealed. I literally shouted "WHAT!?!?!" But it all made sense but was incredibly creepy. The title of the movie is not great but the actual movie IS! Go in with an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised!