The Babysitter (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 5.6
Released in 1980, The Babysitter is a thriller, drama and tv movie film directed by Peter Medak, running about 96 minutes. “She drove the mother mad. She seduced the father. Now, what's going to happen to little Tara?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Overprotective mother Liz Benedict meets 18-year-old orphan Joanna Redwine and hires her as house help and live-in companion to rambunctious daughter Tara. Liz's husband Jeff isn't too thrilled with the arrangement, and his fears soon prove justified when Joanna begins to manipulate everyone and to slowly destroy the family. Meanwhile, next-door neighbor Dr. Linquist investigates and discovers Joanna has a disturbing past.
Who’s in it. The Babysitter stars Patty Duke as Liz Benedict, William Shatner as Dr. Jeff Benedict, Quinn Cummings as Tara Benedict and Stephanie Zimbalist as Joanna Redwine, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, The Babysitter has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Babysitter page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Babysitter tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Babysitter (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Babysitter change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Babysitter worth watching?
- The Babysitter holds an audience score of 5.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and tv movie. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Babysitter?
- The Babysitter stars Patty Duke, William Shatner, Quinn Cummings, Stephanie Zimbalist and John Houseman.
- When was The Babysitter released?
- The Babysitter was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 96 minutes.