Performance & Direction: The Babysitter Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
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 Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any TV Movie is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Babysitter features a noteworthy lineup led by Patty Duke . Supported by the likes of William Shatner and Quinn Cummings , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Babysitter (1980) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Babysitter
Quick Plot Summary: The Babysitter is a TV Movie, Thriller, Drama film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Babysitter
Ending Breakdown: The Babysitter attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to tv movie resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the tv movie themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Babysitter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Babysitter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for TV Movie 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.
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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.
