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A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 98 min · English
Echo score 64
JustWatch #24,070 1
Directed by
Rachel Talalay
Starring
Oona Laurence, Indya Moore, Tamara Smart, Tom Felton, Momona Tamada, Alessio Scalzotto

A high school freshman, Kelly Ferguson, unexpectedly discovers a hidden world when she joins a team of babysitters who fight monsters. Recruited to help them, Kelly must use her intelligence and bravery to confront the Grand Guignol's monstrous forces and protect the children under their care. The adventure unfolds on a Halloween night filled with ghouls and unexpected challenges.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020)

Where can you watch A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Kelly Ferguson

    Kelly is a brave and resourceful teenager often referred to as 'Monster Girl.' Haunted by her childhood encounter with a monster, she must navigate her fears on Halloween night as she takes on the challenge of babysitting Jacob, ultimately proving her courage and determination to rescue him.

    • 🎃 Protagonist
    • 🦸‍♀️ Hero
  • Liz LeRue

    played by Oona Laurence

    Liz is a skilled and confident member of a secret group of babysitters dedicated to protecting children from supernatural threats. She brings experience and leadership, guiding Kelly in their mission to save Jacob from the Boogeyman while supporting her with wisdom and strategies.

    • 👩‍🏫 Mentor
    • 🦸‍♀️ Sidekick
  • Jacob Zellman

    played by Ian Ho

    Jacob is a young boy deeply frightened by the idea of monsters. His vivid imagination and fears draw Kelly into a perilous adventure, showcasing his inner strength as he ultimately helps fuel the determination to confront the Boogeyman.

    • 👦 Child
    • 🐻 Fearful
  • Victor Colleti

    played by Alessio Scalzotto

    Victor is Kelly's crush, whose charming demeanor provides a hopeful glimpse into her adolescence. His interest in Kelly adds a light-hearted romantic angle to the story, symbolizing new beginnings as she emerges from her fears.

    • 💘 Love Interest
    • 🎉 Adventurous
  • The Boogeyman

    The Boogeyman is the primary antagonist, a sinister figure who thrives on fear and nightmares. His cunning nature and malevolent plans pose a significant challenge for Kelly and Liz, embodying the very essence of childhood terrors.

    • 👺 Villain
    • 🥀 Nightmare

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

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Setting

Where and When Does A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Take Place?

The setting of A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Halloween Night

The events of the movie unfold on Halloween night, a time filled with spooky traditions and supernatural lore. The night brings about a whimsical danger, as it is often associated with monsters and the unknown, adding to the film's sense of urgency as Kelly must confront her fears to save Jacob.

Location

Brown University, a decrepit lighthouse

Brown University serves as the home for the Rhode Island Order of Babysitters and is known for its vibrant academic community and historical significance. The decrepit lighthouse, on the other hand, becomes the ultimate setting for a suspenseful confrontation, representing the hidden fears and nightmares the characters must face.

  • 🏫 School
  • 🏚️ Location

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

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3 major themes

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Courage

    Courage is a central theme as Kelly faces her childhood fears to rescue Jacob. Despite her initial hesitations and trauma, she rises to the occasion, embodying the bravery necessary to confront malevolent forces. Her journey illustrates that true strength comes from acknowledging fears and protecting those in need.

  • Supernatural Adventure

    The film is steeped in supernatural elements, blending the ordinary task of babysitting with fantastical creatures like Toadies and the Boogeyman. This theme reflects both the magical and frightening aspects of childhood imagination, allowing characters to navigate through realms of fear and wonder.

  • Friendship

    Friendship plays a critical role in the story as Kelly teams up with Liz to face the Boogeyman. Their bond strengthens through shared experiences and challenges, highlighting the importance of support and teamwork in overcoming adversity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

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Character & theme questions

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie primarily takes place at Brown University, which serves as the headquarters for the Rhode Island Order of Babysitters. The climactic confrontation occurs at a decrepit lighthouse, representing the hidden fears and nightmares the characters must overcome.

  • brown university
  • lighthouse
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

When does the story take place?

The events unfold entirely on Halloween night, a single evening filled with spooky traditions and supernatural lore. This timing adds urgency and whimsy to the story, as monsters are believed to be more active during this holiday.

  • halloween
  • night
  • time period
  • holiday
Q3

Who is Kelly Ferguson?

Kelly Ferguson is the main protagonist, a high school freshman referred to as 'Monster Girl.' She is a brave and resourceful teenager who was haunted by a childhood encounter with a monster. Despite her fears, she takes on the challenge of babysitting Jacob and proves her courage throughout the night.

  • kelly ferguson
  • protagonist
  • monster girl
  • hero
Q4

Who is Liz LeRue?

Liz LeRue is a skilled and confident member of the secret Rhode Island Order of Babysitters who protect children from supernatural threats. She serves as Kelly's mentor and guide, bringing experience and leadership to their mission to save Jacob from the Boogeyman.

  • liz lerue
  • mentor
  • babysitter
  • leader
Q5

Who is the Boogeyman?

The Boogeyman is the primary antagonist of the movie, a sinister figure who thrives on fear and nightmares. He represents the essence of childhood terrors and poses a significant challenge for Kelly and Liz as they work to protect the children under their care.

  • boogeyman
  • antagonist
  • villain
  • monster
  • fear
Q6

What is the courage theme about?

Courage is a central theme as Kelly faces her childhood fears to rescue Jacob. Despite initial hesitations and past trauma, she rises to the occasion and embodies the bravery needed to confront malevolent forces. The theme illustrates that true strength comes from acknowledging fears and protecting those in need.

  • courage
  • fear
  • bravery
  • theme
  • overcoming
Q7

What supernatural elements appear in the movie?

The film blends ordinary babysitting with fantastical creatures like Toadies and the Boogeyman. It explores realms of childhood imagination where characters navigate through fear and wonder, incorporating magical and frightening aspects of supernatural lore.

  • supernatural
  • monsters
  • toadies
  • boogeyman
  • fantasy
Q8

What is the friendship theme about?

Friendship plays a critical role as Kelly teams up with Liz to face the Boogeyman. Their bond strengthens through shared experiences and challenges, highlighting the importance of support and teamwork in overcoming adversity.

  • friendship
  • teamwork
  • liz
  • kelly
  • partnership
Q9

Who is Jacob Zellman?

Jacob Zellman is the young boy Kelly babysits, who is deeply frightened by monsters. His vivid imagination and fears draw Kelly into the adventure, and his character ultimately helps fuel the determination needed to confront the Boogeyman.

  • jacob zellman
  • child
  • boy
  • fear
  • kidnap victim
Q10

What role does Brown University play in the story?

Brown University serves as the home base for the Rhode Island Order of Babysitters, a secret organization dedicated to protecting children from supernatural threats. It represents the hidden world of monster hunters that Kelly discovers when she becomes a babysitter.

  • brown university
  • order
  • babysitters
  • headquarters
Q11

Who is Victor Colleti?

Victor Colleti is Kelly's crush, whose charming demeanor provides a hopeful glimpse into her adolescence. His interest in Kelly adds a light-hearted romantic angle to the story, symbolizing new beginnings as she emerges from her fears.

  • victor colleti
  • romance
  • crush
  • teen romance
Q12

What genre elements define the movie?

The movie combines fantasy, comedy, and family genres. It features a whimsical, light-hearted tone despite moments of child endangerment. The fast-paced narrative follows a linear rescue plot with clear heroes and villains, making it accessible and suitable for younger audiences.

  • fantasy
  • comedy
  • family
  • genre
  • tones

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about secret organizations like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting

Stories where everyday people join fantastical secret organizations. If you enjoyed the discovery of a hidden monster-fighting society in A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, you'll like these other movies where everyday heroes join secret groups. Explore films with similar themes of secret worlds, youthful empowerment, and fantastical societies operating in the shadows.

  • secret world
  • discovery
  • empowering
  • adventurous
  • youthful
  • teamwork
  • Tone: whimsical, adventurous, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, discovery-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a 'discovery and initiation' pattern. An unsuspecting protagonist uncovers a hidden world or organization, undergoes a period of training and acceptance, and then joins the group to combat a common threat, often using their unique perspective or untapped potential to save the day.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share the core appeal of a secret world revealed. They blend the excitement of fantasy with the relatable journey of an underdog finding their place in a larger-than-life conflict, creating a sense of wonder and empowerment.

Fun Halloween adventure movies like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting

Lighthearted thrillers set on a single, action-packed Halloween night. Looking for more movies like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting? This list features similar family-friendly Halloween adventures with fast-paced action, playful scares, and a whimsical tone. Discover other films perfect for Halloween viewing that blend spooky fun with lighthearted heroism.

  • halloween
  • spooky
  • playful
  • urgent
  • youthful
  • adventurous
  • Tone: playful, spooky, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, night-long adventure
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative often unfolds over a single, urgent Halloween night, featuring a clear mission—usually a rescue—that pits a group of unlikely heroes against supernatural forces. The Halloween setting is integral, providing both the threat and the tools for the protagonists to succeed, leading to a celebratory and happy conclusion.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific Halloween atmosphere and tone. They capture the unique blend of excitement and safe scares associated with the holiday, offering fast-paced, visually engaging stories that are thrilling without being frightening, making them perfect for a spooky-yet-fun viewing experience.

If you liked this

Movies Like A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting

Similar movies to A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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