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Timeline

Nanny (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 97 min · English
Echo score 72
JustWatch #14,461 7
Directed by
Nikyatu Jusu
Starring
Leslie Uggams, Sinqua Walls, Michelle Monaghan, Anna Diop, Jahleel Kamara, Mitzie Pratt

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Nanny
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Nanny (2022)

Where can you watch Nanny? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Nanny Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Nanny (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Aisha's Journey to New York City

    Aisha, an undocumented immigrant from Senegal, embarks on a courageous journey to New York City in hopes of providing a better life for herself and her family. Leaving her six-year-old son, Lamine, in the care of her cousin, Mariatou, she dreams of eventually bringing them both to join her.

    Where
    New York City
  2. Securing Employment as a Nanny

    In the bustling environment of New York City, Aisha manages to secure a job as a nanny for Rose, the young daughter of a busy couple, Amy and Adam Hav. As she adjusts to her new role, Aisha finds herself frequently working late hours due to the couple's demanding careers and neglect.

    Where
    The Hav residence, New York City
  3. Building a Bond with Rose

    As time goes on, Aisha forms a close bond with Rose, caring for her and becoming an integral part of her life. This relationship allows Aisha to cope with the loneliness of being apart from her own son, as she pours her love and attention into Rose.

    Where
    The Hav residence, New York City
  4. Blossoming Romance with Malik

    While working for the Hav family, Aisha catches the attention of Malik, the doorman of the building. Their budding romance is encouraged by Malik's grandmother, Kathleen, and his son, Bishop, who bonds with Aisha over their shared experiences as caregivers.

    Where
    New York City
  5. Challenges of Undocumented Life

    Despite her developing relationships, Aisha faces significant challenges as the Hav family struggles to pay her on time. This financial uncertainty prolongs her dreams of reuniting with Lamine and Mariatou, adding to her stress and anxiety in the city.

    Where
    New York City
  6. Unwanted Advances from Adam

    The situation becomes more difficult when Adam, the father of Rose, offers Aisha unexpected help that crosses boundaries and leads to unwanted advances. This violation leaves Aisha feeling vulnerable and distressed, compounding her already heavy burden as an immigrant.

    Where
    The Hav residence, New York City
  7. Sinister Visions and Nightmares

    Aisha begins to experience haunting dreams and vivid visions of drowning, symbolizing her fears and anxieties about her son left behind in Senegal. These unsettling nights blur the lines between reality and nightmares, leading Aisha deeper into despair.

    Where
    New York City
  8. Assuming Full Responsibility for Rose

    The dynamics shift drastically when Amy suddenly leaves, placing the full responsibility of taking care of Rose on Aisha. This unexpected burden heightens Aisha's anxiety as she navigates the challenges alone while still dealing with her personal struggles.

    Where
    The Hav residence, New York City
  9. A Disturbing Encounter

    One evening, left alone with Rose, Aisha experiences supernatural visions that cause her to panic when she believes Rose has gone missing. During her frantic search, she discovers Rose playing in the bath, but a chilling comment from Rose suggested Lamine's spirit is behind the hauntings.

    Where
    The Hav residence, New York City
  10. Tragic News of Lamine

    Aisha finally gathers the funds needed to reunite with her family, but is devastated when she learns from Mariatou that Lamine has tragically drowned during a beach trip. This heartbreaking news shatters Aisha’s hope and confidence, revealing the harsh realities of her life.

    Where
    New York City
  11. New Beginnings with Malik

    In the wake of her loss, Malik, who is now expecting a child with Aisha, invites her to stay with him alongside Bishop and Kathleen. This gesture of support offers Aisha a glimmer of hope as she strives to find a way forward after her tragedy.

    Where
    New York City
  12. Contemplation of Despair

    Struggling with overwhelming grief and considering taking her own life in the Hudson River, Aisha reaches a low point. Just when she is about to succumb to despair, Malik's timely arrival reminds her of the love and connection still present in her life.

    Where
    Hudson River, New York City
  13. Embracing the Future

    With Malik's support, Aisha begins to embrace her future and the family they are creating together. As they welcome their new baby, Aisha finds resilience and purpose, fostering a new life filled with love and hope despite the shadows of her past.

    Where
    New York City

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:11

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Timeline questions answered

Nanny Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Nanny (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Rose say Lamine's spirit is haunting her?

Rose tells Aisha that her son Lamine's spirit is causing the supernatural disturbances because she senses Aisha's guilt and grief over being separated from him. After Aisha panics believing Rose has vanished, Rose makes this chilling comment while in the bathtub, suggesting the disturbing visions Aisha experiences are manifestations of her emotional trauma about her absent child rather than actual paranormal activity.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Aisha's recurring drowning nightmares and her growing anxiety about not being able to bring Lamine to America, building the psychological foundation for Rose's claim.

  • rose
  • lamine
  • spirit
  • haunting
  • supernatural
  • child
Q2

Does Aisha commit suicide at the end of Nanny?

No, Aisha does not kill herself. After learning that Lamine drowned, she goes to the Hudson River contemplating suicide but Malik arrives in time to stop her. He pulls her back from the edge, and together they return to his apartment where they embrace their future together, preparing to welcome their own child.

Foreshadowing: Aisha's earlier drowning nightmares symbolize her subconscious desire to escape her pain, and the moment at the river is the physical culmination of that psychological struggle.

  • suicide
  • hudson river
  • malik
  • ending
  • death
Q3

How does Lamine die in Nanny?

Lamine drowns during a beach trip in Senegal while under the care of his cousin Mariatou. Aisha learns this tragic news when Mariatou arrives in New York City alone, explaining that Lamine died in a drowning accident. This devastating loss occurs just as Aisha finally earns enough money to bring them both to America.

Foreshadowing: Aisha's recurring drowning nightmares throughout the film serve as a tragic premonition of her son's fate.

  • lamine
  • drown
  • death
  • senegal
  • beach
  • mariatou
Q4

Why does Amy leave Rose with Aisha in Nanny?

Amy abruptly abandons Rose without explanation, forcing Aisha to assume full-time responsibility for the child. The film does not provide a clear reason for Amy's departure, focusing instead on the consequences this abandonment has on Aisha's already fragile emotional state. Amy simply vanishes one day, leaving Rose in Aisha's care.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Amy's emotional distance from Rose and her prioritization of work over motherhood, hinting at her eventual abandonment.

  • amy
  • rose
  • abandon
  • leave
  • care
Q5

Are the supernatural events in Nanny actually real?

The supernatural elements in Nanny are left ambiguous and are likely psychological rather than literal. The film uses supernatural imagery, visions, hauntings, mystical connections, to externalize Aisha's trauma, guilt, and grief over being separated from her son. Rose's claim about Lamine's spirit can be read as a child's perception of the emotional tension around her, not necessarily proof of the paranormal.

Foreshadowing: Aisha's nightmares begin before the supernatural incidents with Rose, suggesting they originate from her psychological state rather than external spiritual forces.

  • supernatural
  • horror
  • spirit
  • dreams
  • reality
  • psychological
Q6

Why does Adam make advances toward Aisha in Nanny?

Adam crosses professional boundaries by making unwanted advances toward Aisha after offering her unexpected help. This violation occurs while Aisha is in a vulnerable position as an undocumented immigrant dependent on her job. The scene illustrates the power imbalance and exploitation Aisha faces as a domestic worker, adding to her accumulating stressors.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Adam's neglect of both Rose and his parental responsibilities, hinting at his self-centered character.

  • adam
  • harassment
  • advances
  • exploitation
  • workplace
Q7

What do Aisha's drowning dreams mean in Nanny?

Aisha's recurring drowning dreams symbolize her overwhelming fears of losing her son and her feelings of being trapped in her difficult circumstances. The water imagery represents her anxiety about her separation from Lamine, her precarious undocumented status, and her inability to escape her stressful life. These nightmares foreshadow the tragic news of Lamine's actual drowning.

Foreshadowing: The dreams intensify as Aisha's stress increases, particularly after Adam's advances and when she assumes full responsibility for Rose.

  • dreams
  • nightmares
  • drowning
  • symbolism
  • fear
  • anxiety
Q8

Is Aisha undocumented in Nanny?

Yes, Aisha is an undocumented immigrant from Senegal living and working in New York City. Her undocumented status is central to her vulnerability throughout the film, as it limits her options, makes her dependent on the Hav family for employment, and contributes to her financial struggles as they delay paying her.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Aisha came to America seeking a better life but must navigate the challenges of being undocumented.

  • undocumented
  • immigrant
  • senegal
  • status
  • legal
Q9

What is the mystical connection between Aisha and Kathleen?

Aisha and Kathleen share what appears to be a mystical or supernatural connection, with Kathleen seemingly sensing things about Aisha that she hasn't revealed. Kathleen encourages Aisha's relationship with Malik and treats her with unusual understanding. This connection may represent spiritual wisdom or simply the bond between two people who recognize each other's struggles as caregivers.

Foreshadowing: Kathleen's early acceptance of Aisha and her intuitive understanding hint at a deeper connection that develops throughout the film.

  • kathleen
  • malik
  • mystical
  • connection
  • spiritual
Q10

Does Aisha ever bring her son to America in Nanny?

No, Aisha never succeeds in bringing Lamine to America. Despite working tirelessly to earn enough money for their tickets, she learns upon Mariatou's arrival that Lamine has already died in Senegal. The tragic irony is that just as Aisha finally earns enough money, the reunion she worked toward becomes impossible.

Foreshadowing: Aisha's constant worry about Lamine and her urgent need for money builds toward this devastating realization.

  • lamine
  • reunite
  • america
  • tickets
  • senegal
Q11

How does Malik save Aisha at the Hudson River?

Malik finds Aisha at the Hudson River as she contemplates suicide and physically pulls her back from the edge. His timely intervention represents his unconditional support and love for her despite the tragedy she has experienced. This moment marks a turning point where Aisha chooses to live and embrace the new family she is creating with Malik.

Foreshadowing: Malik's consistent support throughout the film, including inviting Aisha to live with him, foreshadows his role as her savior.

  • malik
  • hudson river
  • save
  • suicide
  • rescue

Movie threads

More Movies Like Nanny, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Nanny tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • claustrophobic
  • psychological
  • unsettling
  • dreamlike
  • oppressive
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, slow burn
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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.

Why they belong together: 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.

  • sinister
  • unsettling
  • claustrophobic
  • suspenseful
  • dark secrets
  • toxic family
  • Tone: dark, sinister, tense
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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.

Why they belong together: 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.

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Movies Like Nanny

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Every angle

Nanny (2022) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Nanny in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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