Plot Summary
Twelve-year-old Cole Johnson (Judah Lewis) faces relentless bullying from his neighbor, Jeremy. Fortunately, his babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving), bravely stands up for him, scaring Jeremy away. When Cole’s parents decide to spend the night at a hotel, he enjoys a fun evening with Bee, but soon he receives a text from his neighbor and best friend, Melanie (Emily Alyn Lind), that piques his curiosity about what Bee is up to after his bedtime.
Expecting nothing unusual, Cole is stunned when he sneaks a peek and discovers Bee along with her high school friends: Max (Robbie Amell), John (Andrew Bachelor), Allison (Bella Thorne), Sonya (Hana Mae Lee), and Samuel (Doug Haley). They appear to be having fun playing a game of truth or dare, but the mood quickly darkens when Bee, after kissing Samuel on a dare, takes out two daggers and brutally stabs him in the skull. The shocking act reveals the group as members of a demonic cult.
In a panic, Cole dashes back to his room to call 911, slips on his shoes, and grabs a pocket knife for defense. He feigns sleep as Bee and her compatriots enter his room to gather a blood sample. Once they leave, however, he attempts to escape through the window but collapses from sheer exhaustion as Bee remains lurking nearby.
The cult interrogates Cole, trying to excuse their sinister activities as merely a “science project.” When the police finally arrive, chaos ensues: Max kills an officer with a poker, while the other cop accidentally shoots Allison. As Cole desperately tries to outsmart the captors, he takes off fleeing upstairs, where he unwittingly pushes John over the banister, resulting in a fatal impalement.
Cole’s escape leads him to hide in the crawlspace beneath his house. Even though Sonya discovers his hiding place, he manages to trap her in the basement before he concocts a plan using a firework rocket and bug spray to eliminate her. After witnessing this display of creativity and resourcefulness, Max pursues him but meets his own demise in a tragic fall.
Seeking refuge at Melanie’s house, Cole realizes he must ensure her safety, expressing his apology for dragging her into his harrowing ordeal. Despite his assurances, Bee is hot on his trail, and back at his own house, Cole confronts Allison, who lunges at him with a knife. However, she is abruptly shot in the head by Bee, who reveals that she had once made a pact with The Devil, trading innocent lives for power by sacrificing them and reciting verses from an ancient book.
While Bee attempts to coax Cole into joining her dark cause, he fiercely refuses and bravely incinerates her spellbook. Now determined, Cole races to Melanie’s house to commandeer her father’s car and heads straight back home as Bee tends to her book in the living room. In a climactic moment, he crashes into her, resulting in a heart-wrenching goodbye before he climbs from the wreckage.
As sirens wail and emergency responders arrive, Cole confidently informs his parents that he no longer needs a babysitter. However, the nightmare isn’t over yet, as a firefighter, while investigating the house, becomes the next unwitting target of Bee’s wrath.
Timeline
Cole's Bullying
Twelve-year-old Cole Johnson faces ongoing bullying from his neighbor, Jeremy. This relentless torment weighs heavily on him, making him feel isolated and desperate for support.
Bee's Intervention
Cole's babysitter, Bee, bravely steps in when she witnesses Jeremy bullying him. Her fearless demeanor intimidates Jeremy, providing Cole with a brief respite from the bullying.
Parents' Night Out
When Cole's parents decide to spend the night at a hotel, he is left alone with Bee. This situation initially seems like a fun opportunity for Cole, but his curiosity soon spirals into a nightmare.
Curiosity Piqued
After receiving a mysterious text from his neighbor and best friend, Melanie, Cole becomes increasingly curious about Bee's activities after bedtime. His curiosity drives him to sneak a peek at what's happening in the living room.
Discovery of the Cult
Cole sneaks out to find Bee with her high school friends playing a game of truth or dare. The mood shifts dramatically when Bee stabs Samuel in a shocking display of brutality, revealing their involvement in a demonic cult.
Panic and Call for Help
Overwhelmed by fear, Cole rushes back to his room to call 911 but struggles to maintain his composure. In a desperate attempt to defend himself, he grabs a pocket knife and pretends to be asleep as Bee and her friends enter.
Cole's Escape Attempt
After Bee's friends leave, Cole tries to escape through the window but collapses from exhaustion. His physical and mental state deteriorates as he realizes the gravity of his perilous situation.
Police Arrive Amidst Chaos
When the police finally arrive, chaos erupts as Max kills an officer, leading to a firefight. The other officer accidentally shoots Allison, intensifying the already dire circumstances of Cole's situation.
Cole's Cleverness Saves Him
In his pursuit to outsmart the cult, Cole inadvertently pushes John over the banister, leading to a fatal fall. This unexpected turn of events provides him a momentary advantage as he flees for his life.
Hiding from the Cult
Cole manages to hide in the crawlspace beneath his house, but Sonya discovers him. Using creativity and quick thinking, he traps her in the basement before crafting a makeshift weapon with a firework rocket and bug spray.
Tragic Fall of Max
As Cole continues to evade capture, Max pursues him but meets his own tragic end in a fall. This moment marks a significant turning point as the tension escalates between the remaining cult members and Cole.
Confrontation at Melanie's House
Seeking refuge at Melanie's house, Cole realizes he needs to ensure her safety in the face of danger. Despite his efforts to protect her, Bee's menacing presence looms ever closer.
The Dark Pact
In a chilling confrontation, Bee reveals her dark pact with The Devil. She has sacrificed innocent lives for power, shedding light on the horrific truth behind her seemingly innocent facade.
Cole's Resolution
Determined, Cole incinerates Bee's spellbook in a powerful act of defiance. His bravery and refusal to give in set the stage for a final showdown between him and the remaining cult members.
Final Confrontation
In a climactic moment, Cole crashes a car into Bee, marking a desperate attempt to end the nightmare. As the police sirens wail in the distance, Cole asserts that he no longer needs a babysitter, a sign of resilience in the face of terror.
Tragic Aftermath
As the chaos subsides, a firefighter investigating the house becomes the next target of Bee's wrath. This open-ended conclusion leaves the audience unsettled, hinting that the nightmare may not yet be over.
Characters
Cole Johnson
Cole is a twelve-year-old boy who experiences immense growth throughout the film. From being bullied and underestimated, he becomes a resourceful survivor capable of outsmarting demonic threats. His journey represents the transition from childhood to a harsh reality filled with danger.
Bee
Bee is Cole's seemingly loving babysitter who harbors a sinister secret. Her transformation from protector to antagonist illustrates the theme of betrayal. Charismatic yet menacing, she uses manipulation and dark magic, embodying the terrifying facade of evil beneath a friendly exterior.
Melanie
Melanie is Cole's best friend who becomes embroiled in the chaos instigated by Bee and her cult. She represents loyalty and the urge to protect loved ones, but her involvement complicates Cole's situation, showing the consequences of friendship when faced with danger.
Setting
Time period
Contemporary
Set in modern times, the film reflects the contemporary lives of teenagers in a typical American neighborhood. Themes of innocence juxtaposed with horror underscore the daily routines and social interactions of youth, making the shocking events even more impactful.
Location
Cole's House, Melanie's House
The movie primarily takes place in a suburban neighborhood, showcasing the innocence of homes where children play. Cole's house serves as a battleground for his survival against a dark cult led by his babysitter. Melanie's house represents a safe haven, yet it becomes a point of tension in Cole's quest for safety.
Themes
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Childhood Innocence
At its core, the film explores the loss of childhood innocence through Cole's terrifying experiences. Initially portrayed as a regular boy facing bullies, his ordeal unveils the real dangers lurking just beyond the surface. The drastic shift from a playful evening to a nightmare reflects how dramatically childhood can be disrupted.
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Murder and Survival
The central theme revolves around the predatory nature of the cult and Cole's fight for survival. As innocent parties are slaughtered, the narrative delves into the horrifying extremes one might go to escape death. Cole's ingenuity in facing lethal threats emphasizes resilience even in the direst circumstances.
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Evil and Corruption
The film highlights how external influences can corrupt even the most harmless settings. Bee, initially a trusted caregiver, is revealed as the instigator of dark rituals, showcasing the theme of deceit in familiar roles. This stark contrast raises questions about trust and the hidden darkness in people.
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