Babysitter Wanted

Babysitter Wanted, released in 2008, is a chilling, edge-of-your-seat indie horror movie that combines elements of slasher thrillers and supernatural horror. The movie stars Tina Houtz, Sarah Thompson, and Nana Visitor, all of whom deliver skilled performances that give depth to this frightful story. Its remarkable crafting grabs the attention of horror genre enthusiasts while the movie’s exceptional pace keeps you hooked till the very end.

The plot of Babysitter Wanted takes off with the arrival of a naive, small-town girl, Angie Alverson, played by Sarah Thompson, who moves to the city to attend college. Being a devoted churchgoer and the epitome of innocence, Angie is as likable as she is relatable - a normal girl aiming for an idyllic college dream away from home. However, when the funds she was counting on get delayed, she is left low on resources, leading her to seek local employment. Being an experienced babysitter, Angie finds herself responding to an ad for such a role and gets a job looking after a young boy named Sam.

The movie introduces Nana Visitor as Linda, the mysterious mother of the boy that Angie babysits, and Tina Houtz as the creepy Mrs. Zellan, who embodies the quintessential 'oddball recluse' found in many horror narratives. The setting of the movie, largely confined to the eerie and isolated farmhouse, enhances the menacing overtones. As dusk descends on her first evening of work, Angie starts to detect that things at the farmhouse are not as they seem. This feeling of unease grows into palpable tension and dread as Angie must confront the nightmarish reality that her easy job is anything but.

The direction and screenplay of Babysitter Wanted are commendable, effectively building suspense and fear within the story. Imbued with all the traditional elements of a solid horror flick - including suspense, isolation, and relatable characters thrust into terrifying situations - Babysitter Wanted neatly plays on its audience's anxieties. Most notably, the atmospheric tension is brilliantly executed, carrying an unsettling ambiance throughout the narrative, and underscored by an impressive sound design and an effective score. The remote farmhouse, its immediate surroundings, and the unforgiving darkness of the town all combine to provide a discomforting backdrop to the unfolding drama.

Sarah Thompson, known for her roles in tv series such as 7th heaven, delivers a convincing performance as Angie, the protagonist, who unexpectedly finds herself facing sinister forces. Nana Visitor, known for her Star Trek fame, also delivers a memorable performance as the stern, yet cryptic, Linda. The other performances are convincing too, making it easy for viewers to immerse themselves in the gripping narrative.

However, it isn't just the performances that make Babysitter Wanted stand out. Its storyline artfully intertwines elements of the paranormal and the brutally real, ensuring that viewers are kept guessing right until the end. The plot is riddled with unexpected twists and turns - some shocking, some gory, but all deeply intriguing.

Behind the lenses, the cinematography rolls out an effectively presented movie. Lighting, colour grades, and camera angles are manipulated perfectly to build a gripping visual narrative. The editing style matches pace with the story, showcasing well-timed jump scares and plot reveals. Babysitter Wanted knows when to draw out a chilling moment for maximum impact.

While Babysitter Wanted doesn't reinvent the horror genre, it plays to its strengths. Its intriguing storyline, atmospheric direction, commendable performances, and unending thrills make it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts. In essence, Babysitter Wanted is a chilling roller-coaster of a horror movie; one where the suspense doesn't stop building until the very end, and that drags viewers to the edge of their seats, where they’ll undoubtedly be stuck until the closing credits.