Emelie

Emelie

Year: 2016

Runtime: 80 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Thelin

ThrillerHorror

Three siblings, Jacob, Christopher, and Sally Thompson, are excited when their parents leave them with a new babysitter named Anna. Initially charmed by her relaxed and playful attitude, the children soon discover a darker side to Anna as the evening progresses. Her carefree demeanor fades, revealing a sinister intent and a terrifying purpose that forces the siblings to confront a chilling reality.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Emelie yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Emelie (2016) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Emelie (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the opening sequence, we meet a young girl named Anna, who is tasked with babysitting, but her plans are abruptly interrupted when she is attacked by the dangerous duo known as Emelie and Skinny Man before she can even reach her destination. Taking advantage of the situation, Emelie assumes Anna’s identity and gains access to the home where the kids she intends to babysit reside. These children include the playful 4-year-old Christopher, the imaginative 9-year-old Sally, and the eldest sibling, 11-year-old Jacob.

At first, Emelie puts on a facade of sweetness and charm, behaving as any caring babysitter would until their parents leave for a night out. Once they are gone, her unsettling behavior begins to surface, revealing her true nature. For instance, she discourages Sally from smiling during a costume photoshoot, casting a shadow over what should be a fun moment. During a seemingly innocent game of hide-and-seek, Emelie engages in more sinister activities – she disables the internet, removes the shoelaces from the kids’ sneakers, and even breaks into the parents’ safe.

Emelie’s manipulation escalates when she calls Jacob into the bathroom under the pretense of needing a new tampon, flustering the young boy when he innocently asks what it is. To his horror, he witnesses Emelie unwrapping it and using it right in front of him, flushing away the remnants with grotesque nonchalance. Meanwhile, Dan, the father, and Joyce, the mother, enjoy dinner where Dan hints at discussing “the talk” with Jacob, alluding to his journey into adolescence and viewing adult content.

As Emelie continues her reign of chaos, she allows the children to indulge recklessly, munching on cookies and drawing all over the walls. She goes as far as feeding Sally’s pet hamster to Jacob’s python, forcing Sally to watch in despair. In a shocking turn, Emelie even shows the children their parents’ intimate moments captured on video, leaving them traumatized. As Jacob rummages through Emelie’s belongings, he uncovers the unsettling truth that she is not who she claims to be, igniting a fear as he realizes the depths of her depravity.

At bedtime, Emelie spins a twisted tale to comfort Christopher and Sally, narrating the story of a mama bear who lost her cub and eventually encountered Skinny Hyena, a character analogous to Skinny Man. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Emelie relates to the mama bear; a tragic incident led to the suffocation of her baby, leaving her unable to have more children. Now, she is seen at a nearby playground, stalking potential new victims, revealing her intentions through a message she sends to Skinny Man that indicates she has found her “cub.”

In a dramatic confrontation, Jacob brandishes his father’s gun, facing Emelie, who dares him to pull the trigger. However, he falters and drops the weapon. Their moment of tension is interrupted by the doorbell, revealing Maggie, the kids’ regular babysitter, who has come looking for Anna after not hearing from her. In a tragic twist, Emelie subdues Maggie, knocking her out and further entrenching her control over the children as she forces them to drink a sedative.

As the children succumb to sleep, Emelie attempts to suffocate Jacob, who has managed to vomit up the syrup meant to keep him quiet. Just then, Maggie regains consciousness and fights to protect the children, but tragically, Emelie kills her. Emelie’s plan becomes clear as she aims to abduct Christopher to fill the void in her life, but Jacob maneuvers to keep him hidden. Frantically, Emelie communicates with Skinny Man, indicating that time is running out for her sinister plans.

As Dan and Joyce drive home, they become victims of a crash orchestrated by Skinny Man, who sacrifices himself to further Emelie’s dream of adopting a new child. The police later reveal to the distraught parents that the body of Anna has been found in the trunk of his vehicle, igniting their desperate rush home. Meanwhile, Jacob heroically loads his brother and sister into his dad’s car and, in a bold move, collides with Emelie just as she is aiming a gun at him.

In the climactic finale, the police arrive just in time for a reunion of the children with their parents, amidst the chaos surrounding Emelie, who, in her desperation, limps away from the scene, leaving behind the destruction she caused. The chilling events of that night reveal not only the horrors of her actions but also the resilience of the children who fought to survive.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

Unlock the Full Story of Emelie

Don't stop at just watching — explore Emelie in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Emelie is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Emelie Timeline

Track the full timeline of Emelie with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Emelie Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Emelie

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Emelie. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Emelie

More About Emelie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Emelie: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Emelie

Similar Movies to Emelie

Discover movies like Emelie that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.