THE SEEMINGLY PERFECT FAMILY
A young nanny discovers a wealthy family’s dark secrets.
Should You Watch It?
No, don’t bother with this one. It’s fine, but it is not worth the watch. This formulaic thriller delivers a predictable plot with very few twists or action scenes. The movie’s central story doesn’t really make sense, and the villain’s motives never receive a clear explanation. Fans of this type of movie may enjoy it, but overall, this is one you can skip.
The movie lacks a clear worldview or message because of its thin plot, but it does include moments that promote doing the right thing. There are instances of strong language, some non-graphic violent scenes, and scenes that include alcohol. With little suspense, few surprises, and several content concerns, this thriller gives viewers little reason to make room for it on movie night.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESWhen Lexi learns she'll be booted from foster care at 18, she scrambles to figure out her next move. After learning about a cushy nanny job from a friend, Lexi steals the job and moves in with the Sterlings, a seemingly perfect couple and their newborn baby. However, things soon take a strange turn: wife Chelsea clearly dislikes Lexi, and husband Daniel acts a little too friendly. Are the Sterlings really as they appear, or does Lexi face danger?
Is It Any Good?
Two stars mean this one never quite finds its footing. It’s a typical TV movie thriller, but it lacks any real plot or action. The characters have little motivation, which makes the events feel lackluster, and potential plotlines and characters disappear without explanation.
The story tries to create suspense, but it never builds enough tension to keep viewers invested. Even when the action picks up, the lack of clear character motives makes it difficult to care about what happens next. The acting is subpar as well, but with a script like this, the cast simply doesn’t have much to work with.
Fans of this genre may enjoy another entry in the mix, but for most viewers, this is a boring, formulaic watch. With little suspense, weak character development, and a story that never quite comes together, this one is easy to pass on.
The Worldview
This movie carries a light moral worldview. Lexi does her best to keep the baby in her charge safe, especially as the movie's events reach a climax. Family holds the story together from start to finish. Lexi's mother stands by her through every twist, and that bond gives Lexi real strength when she needs it most. The movie treats family loyalty as a source of strength, not just a backdrop, and it rewards the characters who lean on each other instead of going it alone.
The movie also includes a lot of immoral behavior. Violent scenes show characters hit people over the head, choke them, and shoot them off-screen. The violence stays free of graphic detail, and any blood shown stays minimal. The movie also includes a few instances of strong language, some alcohol use, and other miscellaneous immorality, like lying, stealing, and unkindness.
In the end, the movie argues that no one gets through a crisis alone. Family shows up when it counts, and that choice makes all the difference. Ecclesiastes puts it best: "Two are better than one... for if one falls, one can help the other up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very light moral worldview themes, including keeping a child safe, as well as a strong mother-daughter relationship;
Foul Language
Mild foul language with four "OMG" profanities, one “h” word, and one “b” obscenity
Violence
Several non-graphic violent scenes, including a person being hit over the head and killed (death not shown), someone being strangled, and someone being shot (shooting not shown). A dead body is shown very briefly, and one scene shows a character falling down the stairs
Sex
No sex;
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Three scenes include characters drinking wine;
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug abuse;
Miscellaneous Immorality
A character lies to get a job, even at the expense of her friend getting the job, a character flirts with another, despite the fact that he has a wife, a character is very rude to another for no reason.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Lexi's mother stands by her through every twist, offering support even when Lexi doesn't ask for it. What does the Bible say about family standing together in hard times, and why does that support matter so much when someone feels overwhelmed? Proverbs 17:17
Some characters in the movie choose unkindness and dishonesty instead of compassion and honesty. How should Christians respond when others treat them poorly, and what does real forgiveness look like in practice? Ephesians 4:31-32
The Final Word
This predictable thriller coasts on a plot that never quite comes together. The story loses itself somewhere along the way, and the villain's motives never get a real explanation, so teens, adults, and anyone hoping for real surprises are left wanting more. Strong language, some alcohol, and a handful of non-graphic violent scenes add up without adding much tension. A few flashes of decency can't make up for a script running on empty. This mystery leaves its biggest question unanswered: why watch it at all?
