Lively sequel played more for laughs
Still fun to be had with shock twists
When The Babysitter dropped on Netflix in 2017 there was hardly a feeling of great expectation.
After all, it was McG’s first movie in three years following the horrible onetwo punch of 3 Days to Kill and This Means War – and lets not forget this was the man who helmed the first two Charlie’s Angels flicks.
What a pleasant surprise the horrorcomedy turned out to be, though, with its critical reception being so universally positive a sequel was quickly given the green light.
And here it is, with Killer Queen picking up two years after its predecessor; lead Cole ( Judah Lewis) is now suffering through high school while trying to get over the events of the previous outing.
Despite being another entertaining ride, Killer Queen falls short of the original for one major reason – it overeggs the comedy.
The Babysitter often played for laughs but there was still a sinister undertone; here we get pot- smoking parents who belong in a Transformers movie, cinematic in- jokes that don’t quite land and the loss of genuine tension.
Fortunately, there is still a lot to like about this sequel. Much like the Stranger Things cast, Lewis has sprouted a lot in a couple of years but he remains a likeable lead and the returning antagonists, especially Robbie Amell’s shirtless Max and Bella Thorne’s ditsy Allison, are great fun.
New addition Jenna Ortega ( Phoebe) is a fireball of caustic dialogue with a take- no- prisoners attitude and Emily Alyn Lind’s Melanie is given more to do this time around.
The four- strong writing team – which includes McG – craft a couple of surprising twists and grant interesting back stories to a few characters.
The blood and gore is even more overthetop but it’s so comical that it’s hard to be grossed out by it.
Killer Queen is an enjoyable, lively follow- up that could’ve done with repeating more of its predecessor’s dark delights rather than ramping up the yucks.
● What are your views on The Babysitter: Killer Queen? How does it measure up to the first film? Does McG’s directorial back catalogue deserve more praise?
Pop me an email at ian. bunting@ reachplc. com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.