The Babysitter Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: The Babysitter
| Movie | The Babysitter |
| Release Year | 1980 |
| Director | Peter Medak |
| Genre | TV Movie / Thriller / Drama |
| Runtime | 96 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Babysitter (1980) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this TV Movie.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Babysitter are led by Patty Duke . The supporting cast, including William Shatner and Quinn Cummings , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Babysitter does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy TV Movie films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Babysitter has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the TV Movie fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Babysitter
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1980, The Babysitter is a TV Movie, Thriller, Drama film directed by Peter Medak. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Patty Duke.
Ending Explained: The Babysitter
The Babysitter Ending Explained: Directed by Peter Medak, The Babysitter attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core tv movie themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Patty Duke. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the tv movie themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Babysitter reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Babysitter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for TV Movies films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Babysitter
All Cast & Crew →
The Babysitter Parents Guide & Age Rating
1980 AdvisoryWondering about The Babysitter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Babysitter is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Babysitter is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1980 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Babysitter worth watching?
The Babysitter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy TV Movie movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Babysitter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Babysitter identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Babysitter?
The total duration of The Babysitter is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Babysitter
How The Babysitter Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Babysitter
**_One of the first lethal Lolita flicks_** A wealthy couple and their daughter (William Shatner, Patty Duke & Quinn Cummings) move to Bainbridge Island across from Seattle wherein they enlist the services of an 18 year-old who has befriended their daughter (Stephanie Zimbalist). Big mistake. John Houseman is on hand. "The Babysitter" (1980) is a drama/mystery with a bit o’ thriller/horror that influenced future movies like “Summer Girl” (1983), “Poison Ivy” (1992) and "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" (1992). Patty Duke was 33 during shooting while Zimbalist was 23. Anyone who’s enamored by the latter will like this flick more than me (I think she needed to eat some cheeseburgers). It’s well done for a television production and has a sense of artistry (like “Poison Ivy,” just less so), but there’s also some tedious drama. I appreciated the fact that at least one boating outing was shot in the rain, which is apropos for the region. The movie runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Burnaby and Deer Park, British Columbia, with some 2nd unit shots of Puget Sound around Bainbridge Island and Seattle. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
