Despite having a general intense dislike of The Asylum (am really trying not to be biased here), do see their films out of curiosity to see whether they are capable of anything halfway watchable once in a while (has happened occasionally, but there is a big emphasis on that). And because low budget films can be watchable or more and do overcome any limitations that they have, there is no bias at all towards low budget films. Never has been and never will be, just to get that out in the open before any accusations arise.
'Evil Nanny' is not one of The Asylum's worst, a long way from it but only because the group that that distinction fits under is so large. It did have a decent concept but ruined it by just-one-step-above inept execution, which is enough to make one feel irked. Waste of potential is one of my biggest bugbears and committed a lot in film, 'Evil Nanny' is not one of the worst or most frustrating cases but it was not as if it was doomed from the start (have seen those kind of films too).
The least bad thing about 'Evil Nanny' is the start, which is okay and has some intrigue.
It's once the nanny gets fired when the film goes rapidly downhill and never recovers. The production values are drab and dreary with less than stylish photography. There is nothing memorable about the music, except that it doesn't fit with what's going on and is very obvious. The direction, from someone experienced in directing bad or worse films except this is actually better than some of them, struggles to sustain any suspense or even worse any momentum.
Script is stilted and very difficult to take seriously, wasn't sure whether to cringe or unintentionally laugh. The characters have nowhere near enough to them to endear to or be engaged by, with a mix of bland (the couple), stupid (the laughably incompetent cops) and over-the-top (the titular character). The film is full of shameful over-acting, especially the complete opposite of scary nanny, reminiscent of a cartoon.
But it's the story that condemns 'Evil Nanny' the most. There is nothing tense, scary or suspenseful here, much of it being dull and predictable. Even worse is the over-the-top stupidity and ridiculousness, nothing rings true or makes sense here while the last five minutes is enough to make one want to hit their heads against a wall.
Overall, very bad but have seen worse. 2/10
