Candace Walker

Reviews and other content aren't verified by Google

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. *Mild spoilers contained within* The opening was a plothole that was never resolved (how on earth did the couple know to kidnap the cover babysitter given it was a last minute change?) But minor quibble aside this film unfolded really well. The audience is not quite clear at first what is the baby sitter's deal. We know she is creepy and HIGHLY inappropriate with the children and clearly her mind is completely broken. However the reveal mid way of how she is searching for her replacement "cubby" is really well done. At first the 11 year old protaganist was very annoying with how immature he seemed. Definitely NOT like the Home Alone kid. But he pulled through in the end. I would say it's above average and would recommend. Oh and side note to Laura Silverstein - being able to menstruate does not mean you are fertile / able to carry a pregnancy - as many women suffering from infertility can tell you...

*Warning review contains minor spoilers* Can I give lower than 1? I chose this as it’s one of the free things to stream on Amazon. The 2019 version is far superior - watch that instead. The acting is terrible. The plot does nothing for 2/3 of the film instead introduce intensely stupid and annoying people. (Seriously stupid - who pays $1k a person for an anonymous escape room experience when you cannot even research the company? Over done tropes: the over amorous couple who are so busy sucking face they do not notice an acid fog is melting their skin off. Lots of unexplained things that don’t make sense. A character who forgets something very key about how to originally open the exit door and an ending that is never explained. A woman who spends almost the whole film naked for no reason. Why is she naked? Was it just a horny director getting his kicks? Honestly don’t waste your time. “Escape” adding this film to your list and find a better option.

SPOILERS BELOW! Maybe I watched a different film to other reviewers but this is basically an Incel Romcom. We’re meant to feel sorry for Josh because he had to lie because mean women would not swipe on his photo. But we never know why it’s fine for him to want a conventionally attractive woman, but not for women to want a man they are physically attracted to? They reward this manipulation (and also him forcing her into an engagement and sabotaging her attempts with Tag) with him getting the girl, and somehow try to portray her acting the “cool girl” as him catfishing her? The societal trope of women having any dating expectations as being inherently problematic while men’s are infrequently questioned is boring now. I mean switch your brain off and have it in the background for some light entertainment. I also enjoyed the diverse representation. Those things kept it above a 1 for me. But overall the messaging was very icky.

I have read the novella as part of the Skeleton Crew. I liked the novella but did not like the way that the story does not really ‘end’. This film completely changed that and I am glad! Staying completely faithful to the book bar the last 5 minutes was a master stroke! Great tension, great performances and utterly believable in how as humans, without normal societal structures and rules places, people quickly give into the hysteria, insanity social bonds are broken. Solid 5 stars from me.

Sigh... So this book was off to a tremendous start. It's not so much of a "whodunnit" so much as a "whydunnit" as the killer and victims are revealed on page 1. I liked how the story unravelled, showing quite clearly how the nanny (Louise) seem to be losing her tenuous grasp on reality. Her complete disinterest in her own life and her obsession with that of her employers and their children. There were some weaknesses, especially in how blind or hopeless the parents appeared to be without any reason why. The scene with the chicken carcass would have surely ended in the nanny being fired in a normal household. The parents fear of the nanny never made sense. However these small annoyances could have been forgiven if not for the book's biggest flaw: The end. It felt as though the author... gave up.... She started to suggest reasons for the murder, the nanny's obsession a new baby perhaps and wanting to remove any potential obstacles but then she STOPPED. Gave up. Why was the nanny in a coma? Why did she do it? Who knows - the author evidently didn't know or didn't care to disclose. Which is a shame. Had the novel ended properly it would have been a solid 5 from me. As it is, if you do choose to read this book, prepare to be left feeling very unsatisfied in the end.