Back in 1991 a wild Comedy called Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead captured the attention of an entire generation. Starring Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz, Danielle Harris, and Josh Charles, it may not have been a huge box office success, but it has remained the epitome of a perfect summertime movie.
Now over three decades later an imaginative remake, also titled Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, this remake initially hit theaters on April 12, 2024, arrived on Bet+ back on May 16th, but now emerges across multiple major digital platforms on November 19th through Shout Studios. Produced by Tyra Banks and her company SMiZE Productions, it stars Simone Joy Jones (Bel-Air series, Anything Possible 2022), Nicole Richie (The Simply Life series, Candidly Nicole series), and June Squibb (About Schmidt 2002, Hubie Halloween 2020). Adding even more intrigue to fans of the original, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, and Danielle Harris all make cameos. Using a script written by Chuck Hayward (Dear White People series, Ted Lasso series) and direction from Wade Allain-Marcus (Brooklyn’s Finest 2009, French Dirty 2015), this Dark Comedy twists and turns to create an emotional rollercoaster for all involved.
As the video models move, eyes are locked onto the fleeting still images that parade across the screen. Eyes zoom in and ears perk up as the viewer is transfixed on a family caught amid a weblike crisis where a hardworking mom has a work-related meltdown, and all summer plans go whoosh up in flames. The family’s lifestyle as they knew it had just careened off a cliff and crashed into indistinguishable shards of glass. A bible-thumping tyrannical babysitter, Mrs. Sturak (unequivocally portrayed by June Squibb) steps in and thus begins an eye-popping and adrenaline-driven adventure.
These four siblings form a family mesh of unique personalities as disparate as can be. Simone Joy Jones portrays the eldest Tanya Crandell as a rebellious and moody teenager. Donielle T. Hansley Jr. (Charm City Kings 2020, Praise This 2023) infused his second-born character Kenny with the unmistakable stamp of a freeloader whose only interest is in chilling out and the party scene. Zack, the youngest of the Crandells is the indisputable family prodigy and is charismatically personified by Carter Young (In the Gray 2021, Velvet Jesus 2021). This is while Ayaamii Sledge (Obi-Wan Kenobi series, 9-1-1 series) gives a fantastic performance as Melissa; an addicted video gamer who prefers to play in a digital world.
Once the babysitter meets the Grim Reaper, a tidal wave of reality washes over the family. They join forces to find viable solutions for their predicament without resorting to matriarchal intervention. As the scenarios unfold one right after another interspersed in between are ironic images that provide comedic relief. It is up to Tanya to take charge and with the help of her siblings does it with aplomb. Soon, the distinctive personalities of the four siblings merge and they corroborate for a common goal- survival. Here Tanya embodies the adage of ‘fake it till you make it.’ When the going gets tough she reaches into her creative wellspring… coming out shining like a diamond. Themes of empowerment, self-confidence, and inner transformation shine throughout the movie.
If you enjoy coming-of-age Comedies with a dash of the macabre, then this one is a worthwhile investment of your time. Despite its hilarious premise it is quite thought-provoking and leaves one with a sense of awe as it results in a familial transformation. The takeaway here is – wouldn’t it be great if we could all collaborate and solve a crisis and come out on top of course without a list of fabrications to pave the way? Something to consider, Cryptic Rock 2024’s Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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