John’s Horror Corner: The Babysitter (2017), a visually striking horror-comedy populated by Raimi-esque blood-spewing, pop culture references galore and truly lovable characters.

MY CALL: Along with Happy Death Day (2017), this film is setting the new standard for the horror-comedy. Wonderfully written, acted and shot, filled with great characters, and on top of that it’s both hilarious and gory, yet never scary. MORE MOVIES LIKE The Babysitter:  Few films compare, but Piranha 3D (2010), Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010), Final Destination 5 (2011), Cooties (2015), Deathgasm (2015), Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015) and especially Happy Death Day (2017) come to mind. For yet more horror comedy in general try Critters (1986), Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh (1991), Leprechaun (1993), Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009), Chillerama (2011), Piranha 3DD (2012), The Cabin in the Woods (2012), Bad Milo (2013), Warm Bodies (2013), Burying the Ex (2014), Smothered (2014), Housebound (2014), Zombeavers (2014), The Voices (2014),  He Never Died (2015), Ava’s Possessions (2015), The Final Girls (2015), What We Do in the Shadows (2015), Krampus (2015; not exactly comedy, but occasionally hilarious), Love in the Time of Monsters (2015) and The Greasy Strangler (2016).

I’ve just gotta’ say WOW. In the first 10-20 minutes of this film I had completely forgotten I was watching a horror movie as I was introduced to an array of wonderfully lovable characters. From our over-worrisome preteen Cole, to his endearingly mean bullies, his nice neighbor (Emily Alyn Lind; Lights Out, The Haunting in Connecticut 2), his awesome yet credibly funny and refreshingly “real” parents, and ultimately his off-the-charts perhaps coolest ever (to even her angsty, heavily crushing evening charge) babysitter Bee (Samara Weaving; Mayhem, Ash vs Evil Dead)—we can instantly gather how much the writer, director and cast cared about what would transpire on film. This is so funny, yet not quite over-the-top while still being over-the-top, that I could watch them on a sitcom or in a PG-13 comedy all day.

Director McG (Terminator Salvation) is an expert at likeable characters (Charlie’s Angels), feisty sexiness without being overly raunchy (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle), and being occasionally over-the-top. And, you know what, it really shows here. He has clearly mastered his craft and did so crossing genres! No simple feat! It’s like McG is speaking to us of what he loves most about fatherhood, marriage and (mostly) adolescence through these characters. Cole’s boob stare was totally understandably human for a boy with a hot, geekcentric, cinephilic babysitter. We’ve all lived that moment of weakness and the scene didn’t feel cheap at all. Plus, she was so awesomely full of pop culture references! How could he not have a crush on her?

Bee is my dream girl. She includes a xenomorph egg, two Star Trek captains (from two different series) and the Independence Day gang in her intergalactic dream team, she breathes movie references dating back 35 years ago (e.g., E. T., Aliens, Predator), she’s geekathetic, and she’s gorgeous. From the time Bee rescues Cole from his bully to getting instructions from Cole’s Mom (Leslie Bibb; Flight 7500, Trick ‘r Treat, Midnight Meat Train, Hell Baby) and Dad (Ken Marino; Bad Milo) for her overnight babysitting gig, she is a charming joy to watch—and so is everyone else. I know, I won’t shut up about these characters. But they MADE THE MOVIE! And they made it awesome and fun and refreshing and rewatchable.

Best GIF ever. You’re welcome.

Bee and Cole proceed to enjoy the best babysitting day EVER complete with dance-offs, science fiction banter, swimming, homemade pizza and backyard movie projectors. After Cole goes to sleep, Bee’s friends John, Max, Sonya (Hana Mae Lee; Pitch Perfect 1-3), Allison (Bella Thorne; MTV’s Scream, Amityville: The Awakening) and Samuel (Doug Haley; Heroes) stop by for a game of Truth or Dare that takes an interesting turn into human sacrifice, witchcraft and what appears to be a flesh-bound Necronomicon.

Raimi-esque blood-spews ensue to maintain the grin-worthy nature of this horror comedy. Things turn into an occasionally gory mess, Cole rightfully questions Max’s shredded-abbed shirtlessness, cat-and-mouse victim hunting proceeds, and Cole finds clever (or accidental) ways to defeat his young adult foes as we are Ready Player One’d with yet more pop culture references to The Warriors (1979), Star Trek: TNG (1987-1994) and Friday the 13^th (1980).

PODCAST SIDEBAR: If you want to know more about The Babysitter, check out our in-depth podcast discussion: Episode 129: The Babysitter. Mark did TONS of research on the film (along with a solid review) and the behind-the-scenes. You’ll walk away with an appreciation for how inconsiderate it was for Forrest Gump (1994) to eat Jenny’s chocolates, intergalactic space team assemblages, and whether Bee (Samara Weaving) is actually “evil” and how old she might truly be. You may also enjoy Episode 116: Happy Death Day.

That’s it, folks. I have nothing but love for this film and hope you watch and feel the same! Enjoy.