Released in theaters in 2014, Babysitting is a French comedy co-directed by Philippe Lacheau and Nicolas Benamou. Led by Lacheau, along with Gérard Jugnot and Clotilde Courau, this film marks Lacheau’s debut as a director. It features a found footage style, which was still quite rare in French comedy at the time. More than ten years after its release, the movie will join the Disney+ catalog starting January 1, 2026.
The story begins with what seems to be a typical scenario. Marc, a demanding boss, entrusts his son Rémy to Franck, one of his employees he trusts for being reliable and responsible. However, that evening also marks Franck’s 30th birthday, and what starts as a straightforward babysitting situation quickly spirals into chaos.
Early in the morning, worry takes hold: neither Franck nor Rémy has been found. In the house left in disarray, a camera is discovered. The footage gradually unravels the events of a night where calm intentions give way to a series of reckless outbursts. The film expertly toggles between moments of collective chaos and individual perspectives, without revealing key details of how it all will end.
Developed by members of the La Bande à Fifi collective, the screenplay is co-written by Philippe and Pierre Lacheau. The filming employs a semi-improvised approach to enhance the sense of spontaneity characteristic of found footage, blended here with a more conventional direction. According to the creators, roughly 40% of the film relies on this technique, with the remainder crafted through traditional staging.
Babysitting fits into the wave of lively ensemble comedies, while maintaining a more family-friendly tone than popular references like Project X or This Is the End. The film also acknowledges the influence of Francis Veber’s The Toy, especially in the dynamic between the overwhelmed adult and the challenging child.
Before its official release, the film debuted at the Alpe d'Huez Comedy Film Festival, where it took home the Audience Award. Its strong box office performance swiftly led to a sequel, Babysitting 2, cementing Philippe Lacheau's status as one of the leading figures in French mainstream comedy of the 2010s.
With its energetic style, visual humor, and engaging storytelling, Babysitting appeals to fans of fast-paced, contemporary comedy. Viewers who enjoyed Alibi.com or Épouse-moi mon pote will find familiar themes and a tone that resonates with them.
Babysitting
Film | 2014
Released in theaters: April 16, 2014
Available on Disney+ from January 1, 2026
Comedy | Runtime: 1h24
Directed by Philippe Lacheau, Nicolas Benamou | Starring Philippe Lacheau, Gérard Jugnot, Clotilde Courau
Original title: Babysitting
Country: France
With its "found footage" style adapted to a mainstream comedy, Babysitting holds a unique place in French cinema of the 2010s. Its release on Disney+ offers a chance to rediscover a film that exemplifies the rise of a new wave of comedians making the leap from television to the big screen.
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