Often in thrillers featuring children, a nanny plays a prominent role in the story, and most times it’s not Mary Poppins walking through the door.
According to SYFY WIRE, unlike babysitters, who are often portrayed in horror films as targets for the killer, the nanny comes in long-term and inserts herself into the lives of the family, earning their trust. That means people are more apt to let their guards down and that could lead to trouble.
Whether it’s the Satan-serving Mrs. Baylock in The Omen or The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’s perky Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay), nannies often have some revenge in mind for something we’ll learn about later in the film.
The nanny in the horror genre a subject that has been around for decades and dates back as far as the legendary Bette Davis in Hammer Horror’s final black-and-white movie, The Nanny. SYFY Wire explains in that movie, Davis plays the trusted nanny who has cared for the Fane family for more than two decades. After the death of young Susy Fane, her brother Joey is sent to a reform school because it is assumed he killed her out of jealousy. But we learn it was the Nanny herself.
SYFY Wire notes that films like these may play a role in people’s real-life fear over hiring a nanny for their kids.
“Inviting a new person into your home is daunting, particularly when it is someone you have to entrust your child with,” it says. “Basing your pick off recommendations, a glowing resumé, and even desperation can lead to a bad fit. Psychological horror dials up the fear factor by emphasizing the uncertainty and the ability to hide any potential dangers—this goes both ways, as the nanny might be the one at risk.”
In 2020, there were several nannies on TV that raised questions to viewers. From the mysterious Leanne in Servant to the new au pair of the Wingrave children in The Haunting of Bly Manor, who needed to protect the kids from the evil lurking in the manor.
Nannies can be an important part of your household as they are in the horror genre, but you need to make sure that their resume doesn’t have any ties to the devil or ghosts if you want to keep your family safe!
Featured Image: Buena Vista Pictures
Source: SyFy Wire
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