Elijah Grant
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a 1991 American coming-of-age black comedy film directed by Stephen Herek. The film stars Christina Applegate as a 17-year-old girl who becomes the head of the household when the elderly babysitter her mother hired suddenly dies. The film received generally negative reviews from critics but became a cult classic after its release on VHS and television. A remake was released in 2024, starring Simone Joy Jones, Nicole Richie, and June Squibb.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead |
| Year | 1991 |
| Director | Stephen Herek |
| Writers | Neil Landau, Tara Ison |
| Stars | Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz, Josh Charles |
| Genre | Black comedy |
| Plot | A 17-year-old girl assumes responsibility for her younger siblings when their elderly babysitter suddenly dies. |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 35% |
| Metacritic Score | 35/100 |
| Remake | Released on April 12, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Babysitter dies, leaving five siblings unsupervised
In the 1991 American coming-of-age black comedy film "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead", a seventeen-year-old girl, Sue Ellen "Swell" Crandell, is left in charge of her four younger siblings when their elderly babysitter, Mrs. Sturak, suddenly dies on her first night on the job. Rather than contact the authorities, the kids decide to fend for themselves.
Sue Ellen, played by Christina Applegate, is eager to enjoy her mother's summer-long absence. While the babysitter looks after her rambunctious younger siblings, Sue Ellen plans to party and have fun. However, when the babysitter unexpectedly dies, the family is left short on cash.
Sue Ellen takes on the responsibility of caring for her siblings and finds a job in the fashion industry by lying about her age and experience on her résumé. As she navigates the challenges of adulthood, her siblings run wild, creating chaos and comedic situations.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some comparing it unfavourably to the hit movie "Home Alone". Despite the initial negative reception, it gained a cult following after its release on VHS and cable television. A remake was released in 2024, starring Simone Joy Jones, Nicole Richie, and June Squibb.
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Eldest sibling gets a job to support the family
In the 1991 film "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead", the eldest sibling, Sue Ellen ""Swell Crandell, takes on the responsibility of supporting her family financially after their babysitter passes away. Faced with the challenge of their mother's absence and the sudden death of their elderly babysitter, Mrs. Sturak, the siblings decide to keep their situation a secret from the authorities.
As the eldest, Sue Ellen steps up and takes on the role of the family breadwinner. She lands a job in the fashion industry by embellishing her resume, claiming to be older and more experienced than she is. This act of resourcefulness demonstrates her determination to provide for her family and ensure their well-being.
While the movie is a black comedy that explores the hijinks of the siblings, it also highlights the challenges faced by Sue Ellen as she navigates the adult world. She discovers the downsides of adulthood, including the pressures and responsibilities that come with her new job. The movie showcases her transformation as she matures and gains a deeper understanding of the complexities of adult life.
The 2024 remake of the film, also titled "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead," follows a similar premise. Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell, the eldest sibling, is forced to stay home with her three siblings when her mother goes on a wellness retreat. Following the death of their babysitter, Tanya finds employment, working for the ambitious Rose. While the remake received mixed reviews, it explores similar themes of responsibility and maturity in the face of unexpected circumstances.
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Teenagers acting in adult situations
The 1991 film Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a coming-of-age comedy that centres on a teenager acting in an adult situation. In the film, a 17-year-old girl, Sue Ellen "Swell" Crandell, is left in charge of her younger siblings when the elderly babysitter her mother hired passes away unexpectedly. Rather than informing their mother or the authorities, Sue Ellen decides to take on the responsibility of caring for her siblings and maintaining the household. This involves finding a job to support the family financially. She lands a job in the fashion industry by falsifying her age and experience on her résumé, which leads her to discover the challenges of adulthood.
The film explores the theme of teenagers acting in adult situations, as Sue Ellen navigates the working world and the complexities of adulthood while also managing her personal life and the well-being of her siblings. She finds herself in a situation where she has to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities that are typically associated with adulthood, such as earning an income and managing family dynamics.
The 2024 remake of the film, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, also touches on similar themes. In this version, Tanya Crandell, a 17-year-old girl, is forced to stay home with her siblings when her mother goes on a wellness retreat. Following the death of their elderly babysitter, Tanya secures a job working for a confident and ambitious boss. The remake explores Tanya's journey as she grapples with the demands of adulthood while trying to keep her family together.
While the films incorporate comedic elements and a light-hearted tone, they also highlight the challenges and complexities that arise when teenagers find themselves in adult situations. The characters' experiences showcase the difficulties of navigating the working world, managing finances, and balancing personal aspirations with familial responsibilities. The films present a unique perspective on the transition from adolescence to adulthood, emphasising the importance of independence, resourcefulness, and maturity.
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A remake of the 1991 movie
The remake was produced by Tyra Banks and her company SMiZE Productions and was released on the streaming service BET+. It was directed by Wade Allain-Marcus.
The original 1991 film, directed by Stephen Herek and written by Neil Landau and Tara Ison, starred Christina Applegate as 17-year-old Sue Ellen Crandell, who is left in charge of her younger siblings when their mother goes on a summer-long vacation and the elderly babysitter suddenly dies.
While the 2024 remake received mixed reviews, with some praising the character work and others criticising the casting and convoluted plot, the 1991 film was a commercial success, grossing $25.1 million and becoming a cult classic, despite initially receiving negative reviews from critics.
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A comedy with an innocent, naive charm
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead is a 1991 American coming-of-age black comedy film directed by Stephen Herek. The plot focuses on a 17-year-old girl, Sue Ellen "Swell" Crandell (Christina Applegate), who assumes responsibility for her younger siblings when the elderly babysitter whom her mother had hired passes away suddenly.
The film has an amusing premise and is filled with personable performances, particularly from Applegate and Josh Charles. It starts as a black comedy and evolves into a teenage fantasy about succeeding in the business world. Despite receiving generally negative reviews from critics upon its release, it developed a reputation as a cult film following its release on VHS and cable television.
The 2024 remake, however, received mixed reviews. While it has been praised for its character work and surprisingly authentic feel, it has also been criticised for lacking the charm and charisma of the original. The remake stars Simone Joy Jones as Tanya Crandell, a 17-year-old who is forced to stay home with her siblings when their mother goes on a wellness retreat and their babysitter unexpectedly dies.
Overall, Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, both the original and the remake, offers a light-hearted and entertaining take on a teenager's journey into adulthood, with a mix of wit, charm, and innocent humour.
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Frequently asked questions
The plot focuses on a 17-year-old girl who has to take on the responsibility of head of the house when the elderly babysitter, hired by her mother to watch over her kids while she is away, suddenly dies.
You can rent the movie on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and DVD Netflix. You can buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and Amazon Prime.
The movie stars Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz, and Josh Charles.
