‘Nanny’ Review – “Exquisitely Haunting And Powerfully Deep”

Synopsis: In this psychological horror fable of displacement, Aisha (Anna Diop), a woman who recently emigrated from Senegal, is hired to care for the daughter of an affluent couple (Michelle Monaghan and Morgan Spector) living in New York City. Haunted by the absence of the young son she left behind, Aisha hopes her new job will afford her the chance to bring him to the U.S., but becomes increasingly unsettled by the family’s volatile home life. As his arrival approaches, a violent presence begins to invade both her dreams and her reality, threatening the American dream she is painstakingly piecing together.

As difficult, frustrating, and unpredictable as life can be, when you’re a parent quitting is not an option. Your primary focus switches from chasing your next thrill and cleaning up your own vomit, to chasing a toddler and cleaning marker and crayon off of the wall. You’ll do anything for your child. Whether it’s a rabid dog, some creep in a car, a gigantic monster, or unknown dark forces, we’ll lay down our lives to protect our little ones. We’ll work multiple jobs, go without eating, move out of the country, and possibly commit crimes if it means that our kids are safe and have what they need. It’s interesting when me turns into we and I into us especially when a child becomes part of your family. Just know, whether it’s mom or dad, don’t poke the bear because, for their cub, they’ll rip your face off.

“How do you use your rage? Is it your superpower or your kryptonite?”

At some point we all have to acknowledge that through selfish curation and a certain perspective, the world is set up to serve some while others fight, suffer, and sacrifice in order not to starve. Directed by Nikyatu Jusu in her feature debut, Nanny is exquisitely haunting and powerfully deep. Cohesively and seamlessly exploring a multitude of important topics, the film is as poignant as it is creative. From immigration, Blackness, nanny culture, folklore, patriarchal norms, cultural clashes, and parenthood, to Black love and more, this story has much to offer and plenty to chew on. Driven by meaningful writing and thoughtful direction, we are transported into the shoes of our protagonist, Aisha as she makes the best of a somber daily existence as she works tirelessly in order to bring her son to the states.

“It is what I am owed.”

As much as the film is an intense drama that eventually pits two women from different walks of life against each other due to societal issues, its horror aspects are nightmarish and constant. The scares aren’t of the jump scare variety, but rather chilling indelible images that form a larger picture that isn’t clear until the film’s grim twist. Anchored by the amazing performances of Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, and Sinqua Walls, Nanny is dark, beautifully shot, well-acted, and features a bewitching color palette. This is a film with something to say and at times, it says it pretty loudly. Once the credits cease to roll, you’ll be thinking about the story well after it’s over. I enjoyed what Nikyatu Jusu brought to the table and can’t wait to see what she does in the future. Nanny’s rewatchability is high.

 

Pacing & Pop

With a story that easily could have been two-plus hours, the pacing of this film is quicker than it feels as it grabs and fully engulfs you in its story. What popped for me was the subtle sense of dread that slowly forces you into submission as its hands wrap around your throat. 

 

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Rose Decker, Morgan Spector, Sinqua Walls

Anna Diop delivers a heartfelt and heart-pounding performance as Aisha. It’s a performance that stays with you as you cannot help but share her joy and emotional turmoil throughout the film. The chemistry that is displayed between Diop and Michelle Monaghan’s Amy is a rocky build towards abrasiveness that heightens with each passing act. What is initially mutual reverence slowly degrades into one-sided jealousy, envy, and insecurity. What transpires is a societal dance with laws and the results of patriarchy.

Nanny is playing in select theaters and will begin streaming on Prime Video on December 16, 2022. Stay and enjoy.

Rated: R Runtime: 1h 37m Director: Nikyatu Jusu Writer: Nikyatu Jusu Producers: Nikkia Moulterie, Daniela Taplin Lundberg Executive Producers: Maria Zuckerman, Ryan Heller, Michael Bloom, Jason Blum, Rebecca Cammarata, Bill Benenson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Laurie Benenson, Grace Lay, Sumalee
Montano, Nikyatu Jusu, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold Director of Photography: Rina Yang