Reviews: A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) Movie Review
Subgenres:
Horror fans will enjoy our review of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020), where we cover its story, scares, and how it ranks among modern horror classics.
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting is a family-friendly horror-fantasy adventure that blends supernatural thrills with coming-of-age themes, making it an accessible introduction to horror for younger audiences.
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) – A Kid-Friendly Monster Adventure with Mixed Results
Based on Joe Ballarini’s book series, the film follows Kelly Ferguson (Tamara Smart), a reluctant babysitter who stumbles into a secret world of monster-fighting babysitters when the boy she’s watching, Jacob (Ian Ho), is kidnapped by the sinister Boogeyman, aka the Grand Guignol (Tom Felton).
With monsters lurking in the shadows and an underground society dedicated to protecting children, Kelly must find her courage, embrace her inner hero, and rescue Jacob before it’s too late.
While the film is visually imaginative and full of energy, it struggles with pacing, predictable storytelling, and a lack of real stakes, making it better suited for younger audiences rather than older kids or adults.
Director and Main Cast
Directed by Rachel Talalay (Tank Girl, Doctor Who), the film leans heavily on colorful visuals and a fast-paced story, creating a lively but somewhat shallow adventure.
Main Cast:
- Tamara Smart as Kelly Ferguson – A smart but anxious freshman who discovers her hidden potential as a monster hunter.
- Tom Felton as The Grand Guignol – A charismatic yet over-the-top Boogeyman, stealing the show with his theatrical villainy.
- Ian Ho as Jacob Zellman – A monster-attracting boy whose dreams are the key to the Boogeyman’s plan.
- Oona Laurence as Liz Lerue – A skilled and confident babysitter from the secret society, helping Kelly navigate this new world.
Felton’s performance as the Grand Guignol is one of the highlights, but his cartoonish villainy lacks real menace. Meanwhile, Smart delivers a solid lead performance, but the script doesn’t allow for much depth in character development.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
A Babysitting Job Gone Wrong
Kelly Ferguson’s Halloween night takes a turn for the worse when Jacob is kidnapped by the Boogeyman, a child-stealing entity from nightmares. She soon learns about the secret Babysitter’s Society, a group dedicated to protecting kids from supernatural threats.
Kelly teams up with Liz and the other babysitters to navigate a world of hidden dangers, dream monsters, and dark magic, leading to a race against time to save Jacob before the Grand Guignol can use his nightmares to unleash something terrible.
Themes of Courage and Friendship
The film explores:
- Facing Your Fears – Kelly learns to overcome self-doubt and take action.
- The Power of Friendship – The babysitters must work together despite differences.
- Imagination vs. Reality – The story plays with dreams, nightmares, and believing in the impossible.
While these themes are valuable for younger audiences, they lack emotional depth, making the film feel more like a checklist of ideas rather than a fully developed narrative.
Acting and Cinematography
Tamara Smart Holds Her Own
- Smart brings charm and likability to Kelly, but the script doesn’t give her many standout moments.
- Tom Felton chews the scenery as the Grand Guignol, offering a playful yet one-note performance.
- Oona Laurence as Liz adds toughness and humor, but her character deserved more depth.
Visuals and Atmosphere
- Colorful and imaginative set designs bring the monster world to life.
- CGI-heavy creatures feel hit or miss, with some looking impressive and others overly artificial.
- Action sequences are energetic but lack suspense, making everything feel a bit too safe.
The film’s visual creativity is engaging, but it lacks the darker atmosphere that could have made the monsters feel truly menacing.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Fast-paced and visually engaging – The bright, dynamic cinematography keeps things lively.
- Great for younger audiences – The monsters are fun rather than terrifying, making it a kid-friendly gateway into horror.
- Strong world-building – The Babysitter’s Society is an intriguing concept, setting up potential for sequels.
Weaknesses:
- Predictable storytelling – The plot follows a generic structure, making it less exciting for older viewers.
- Low stakes – The Boogeyman never feels truly threatening, reducing tension.
- Underdeveloped characters – Supporting roles feel one-dimensional, making it hard to emotionally invest.
The film plays it too safe, avoiding genuine horror or emotional complexity that could have made it more memorable.
In Conclusion – Is A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting Worth Watching?
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting is a fun, colorful, and fast-paced adventure that serves as an entry-level horror film for kids.
Who Will Enjoy This Movie?
- Kids ages 8-12 who enjoy spooky but not scary movies.
- Families looking for a lighthearted Halloween watch.
- Fans of movies like Goosebumps and Monster House.
Who Might Be Disappointed?
- Older teens and adults expecting deeper storytelling.
- Fans of darker, suspenseful horror films.
- Anyone hoping for a fresh take on the monster-hunting genre.
Final Verdict & Score (1–10)
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting is a lightweight, entertaining family film that succeeds in its target audience but falls short of being a standout adventure.
Final Score: 6/10 – Fun for kids, visually engaging, but ultimately predictable and lacking depth.
Similar films like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting can be found in kids horror movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Rating Scores
- Our Score: 6/10
- Overall Score: 5.42/10
- IMDB: 5.4/10
- MetaCritic: 3.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8/10
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