Nanny

Year: 2022

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Nikyatu Jusu

ThrillerHorror

Aisha, a Senegalese nanny, finds work with an affluent New York City family, hoping for a fresh start and a chance to build a better life while missing her own son. However, she soon discovers that the family harbors dark secrets and toxic dynamics. As she becomes entangled in their complicated relationships, a sinister presence begins to infiltrate her dreams and blur the line between her reality and a disturbing, malevolent force.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Nanny (2022) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Nanny (2022), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Aisha, an undocumented immigrant from Senegal, finds herself navigating the complexities of life in bustling New York City. Having left her six-year-old son, Lamine, in the care of her cousin, Mariatou, back home a year prior, she dreams of earning enough money to bring them both to the U.S.

To make ends meet, Aisha secures a job as a nanny for Rose, the young daughter of Amy and Adam Hav, a prosperous couple engrossed in their demanding careers. As Aisha forms a deep bond with Rose, she often finds herself working late into the night—sometimes even overnight—due to the couple’s negligence.

Throughout her journey, Aisha captures the interest of Malik, the doorman of the Havs’ building, and their romance blossoms with the warm approval of Malik’s grandmother, Kathleen, and his son, Bishop, who is around Lamine’s age. Surprisingly, Aisha and Kathleen share a mystical connection that adds a touch of enchantment to their daily lives.

However, challenges arise as the Hav family frequently delays payments to Aisha, prolonging her hopes of buying tickets for Lamine and Mariatou. One day, when Adam offers her assistance, he crosses a line and makes unwanted advances, leaving Aisha in a state of distress. Unsettling dreams—a recurring theme of drowning—plague her, intertwined with vivid visions of her son.

The situation takes a drastic turn when Amy abruptly leaves, compelling Aisha to assume full-time responsibility for Rose. One evening, while alone with her, Aisha experiences sinister visions that lead to a moment of panic when she believes Rose has vanished. In a frantic search, she finds herself pulled underwater, only to discover a bathing Rose in the tub. In a chilling moment, Rose suggests that it is Lamine’s spirit, feeling overlooked, who is causing these hauntings.

Eventually, Aisha manages to gather enough money for airfare, but upon Mariatou’s arrival alone, she learns of a tragic fate: Lamine has drowned during a trip to the beach. With newfound challenges ahead, Malik, who is now expecting a child with Aisha, invites her to stay with him, Bishop, and Kathleen. Torn by despair, Aisha contemplates taking her own life in the Hudson River, but Malik’s timely intervention steers her back toward hope. Together, they embrace their future, welcoming their new baby into a life filled with love and resilience.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:11

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Nanny?

Still wondering what the ending of Nanny (2022) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

*The ending of “Nanny” reveals that Aisha’s visions and supernatural encounters are manifestations of her guilt, trauma, and the spiritual connection to her lost son, Lamine. Throughout the film, Aisha is haunted by images of water and mystical figures like Mami Wata, symbolizing her subconscious fears, her longing for her son, and the dangerous allure of her memories and regrets. Her vivid dreams and hallucinations—such as the water pouring on her, the mermaid figures, and her visions of Lamine—serve as signs that her mind is struggling to process her pain and sense of separation. These supernatural elements suggest that her connection to her son and her pain are intertwined with a spiritual world that is both punishing and offering hope.

When Aisha attempts to drown herself in the pool, she is confronting her grief and guilt. The mermaid figure, Mami Wata, appears and pulls her into the water, showing her past, present, and possible future, including her desire to reunite with Lamine. Her hallucination of her son drowned in the sea, despite her efforts to save him, underscores her feelings of helplessness and regret. After she is rescued from the water, she discovers she is pregnant—an indication that, in some sense, her love and longing for her son have given her a new reason to live. This renewal suggests that her spiritual ordeal was not just about loss but also about acceptance and hope for eventual healing.

In the final moments, Aisha receives the news that her son has died, but because the truth was kept from her, she doesn’t fully realize the tragedy at first. Her breakdown and attempt at self-harm reveal her profound grief and guilt. The symbolic presence of water and the supernatural elements serve as metaphors for her deep emotional state and the lasting impact of her trauma. Ultimately, the film suggests that her connection to her son persists through her suffering, and her ongoing journey involves coming to terms with her loss and finding a way to rebuild her life, with the spiritual presence of Lamine and Mami Wata guiding her toward a future of healing and hope.*

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

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Movies with Isolated Psychological Terror like Nanny

Stories where isolation and psychological pressure blur reality with horror.If you liked the oppressive dread and psychological unraveling in Nanny, explore these movies. This list features similar thrillers and horror stories where isolated characters, often facing social marginalization, confront horrors that blur the boundary between their trauma and a sinister reality.

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These narratives typically follow a character navigating an unfamiliar or oppressive environment, such as a new job, home, or country. Their vulnerability is exploited by the setting itself, leading to a slow-burn psychological crisis where dreams, memories, and waking life merge into a single, terrifying experience.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on intense psychological pressure within claustrophobic or alienating settings. They combine a heavy emotional weight with a steady, dread-inducing pace, creating a cohesive vibe of inescapable anxiety and fractured reality.

Movies with Sinister Family Secrets like Nanny

Thrillers where the home is a beautiful facade for dark secrets.Fans of Nanny who were captivated by its exploration of dark secrets within an affluent household will find similar themes here. These movies are psychological thrillers and horrors that uncover the rot festering beneath the surface of picture-perfect families and homes.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an outsider—a nanny, a new partner, a guest—entering a seemingly normal household. As they integrate, they peel back layers of deception, abuse, or supernatural malice hidden by the family. The central conflict is the confrontation with this hidden truth, which often puts the protagonist in grave danger.

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These films share a core theme of domestic danger and deception. They are united by a dark tone, a steady pacing that methodically reveals secrets, and a high intensity generated by the claustrophobic tension of being trapped in a beautiful but malevolent environment.

Unlock the Full Story of Nanny

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Nanny Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Nanny

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Nanny Ending Explained

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Nanny Spoiler-Free Summary

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