Is The Babysitter woke?
Movie · 2017
The Babysitter has a wokeness score of 3/10, which we rate as Light Social Awareness. Some light diversity or inclusion elements that feel natural and organic. Woke themes are subtle, non-intrusive, and fully integrated into the story without drawing attention to themselves.
Key points
- Multi-ethnic cult cast feels organic, with no race-based traits or empowerment arcs.
- Diversity incidental to horror archetypes; emphasizes universal evil, not representation.
- Absent political messaging; prioritizes gore, humor, and boyhood escapism over ideology.
Wokeness analysis
The Babysitter (2017) is a quintessential escapist horror-comedy that prioritizes over-the-top gore, slapstick violence, and irreverent humor over any political or social agenda. Directed by McG, the film revels in its B-movie tropes, featuring a nerdy 12-year-old boy, Cole, who idolizes his glamorous babysitter Bee, only to discover she leads a satanic cult of attractive young adults intent on sacrificing him. The ensemble cast includes a mix of ethnicities—Andrew Bachelor (Black comedian King Bach) as the wisecracking John, Hana Mae Lee (Asian actress) as the goth Sonya, alongside white actors like Samara Weaving, Bella Thorne, and Robbie Amell—but this diversity is purely incidental and organic to the ensemble dynamic. No character is defined by their race, gender, or background; instead, they embody exaggerated horror archetypes: the hot jock, shallow cheerleader, artsy weirdo, and comic relief. Reviews note the 'diverse casting' showing 'everyone can be evil,' underscoring equal-opportunity villainy rather than progressive representation or empowerment narratives. There are no lectures on tolerance, equity, or social justice; a fleeting girl-on-girl kiss during Truth or Dare is played for titillation through the male gaze, not queer affirmation or subversion. The story focuses unapologetically on pubescent male fantasies, brutal kills, and themes of overcoming bullying through violence, with zero ideological shoehorning. Critics praise its self-aware fun and 'killer cast' without mentioning wokeness, confirming its status as light, natural diversity in service of entertainment, not activism. In an era saturated with forced messaging, this film's refusal to preach makes it a breath of fresh air for audiences weary of cultural lectures masquerading as cinema.
Plot
In The Babysitter, 12-year-old Cole (Judah Lewis), a bullied nerd still under his parents' watchful eye, cherishes evenings with his cool, beautiful babysitter Bee (Samara Weaving). Urged by his crush Melanie (Emily Alyn Lind) to spy on Bee after bedtime—suspecting adult mischief—Cole witnesses horror: Bee and friends Max (Robbie Amell), Allison (Bella Thorne), John (Andrew Bachelor), and Sonya (Hana Mae Lee) perform a satanic ritual, sacrificing a victim for devilish rewards. Spotting Cole, the cult hunts the 'innocent virgin' needed to complete their pact. Armed with wits and household weapons, Cole turns the tables in a bloody, comedic rampage of decapitations, impalements, and absurd kills. Emerging tougher, Cole confronts his fears in this fast-paced, gory Netflix horror-comedy blending slasher thrills with teen fantasy.
Analyzed by AI on April 26, 2026