Emelie

With their regular babysitter canceled, a suburban couple hires a friend named Anna to watch their kids on their anniversary night. The Thompson home feels safe at first as Anna charms the children, letting them bend the rules and indulge in treats they are usually forbidden. But as the evening unfolds, small hints of something wrong begin to crop up, a whispered caution, a disappearing routine, and a chilling stare that lingers too long. The camera lingers on details, like a sock on the stairs or a phone left unanswered, as if the walls listen. The mood shifts from playful to uneasy as the parents' away-from-home celebration becomes a test of trust. The suspense builds without tipping into obvious danger.

Directed by Michael Thelin, Emelie is an original screenplay that unfolds a psychological horror story about a babysitter whose charm masks a dangerous intent, turning a routine evening into a slow burn of fear and uncertainty for the family watching.

Reception to Emelie was mixed yet generally positive for its taut pacing and focus on atmosphere. Critics noted how the film leans on suggestion and dread rather than gore, layering themes of trust, guardianship, and power dynamics within a domestic setting that feels both familiar and dangerous to viewers today.

While not a mainstream hit, Emelie has earned a place among tighter horror thrillers for its unsettling premise and Sarah Bolger's steady performance. Fans cite the babysitter premise as a tense subversion of family safety norms, and discuss how the film toys with audience assumptions about trust and everyday danger.

Box office details are modest and not widely reported; the film had a limited release and relies on word of mouth within genre circles rather than broad mainstream appeal. It later found audiences through streaming platforms and various digital retailers.