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Bald Nanny (2025, Movie)
This 2025 film is definitely worth checking out - it's got a great story, some really memorable characters, and it's a wild ride from start to finish.
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Vin Diesel's 'The Shaving of Shane Wolf' Gets a Russian Makeover - 'Bald Nanny' Falls Short
summarizeEditor's Summary
I was expecting a Russian take on my childhood favorite 'Bald Njka' when I stumbled upon 'Bald Nanny.' Unfortunately, it's more like a half-baked attempt at recreating the magic. The film premiered in the fall of 2025, but it didn't grab my attention until I watched it on Ivi. The director, Alisa Shitikova, tries to bring a fresh spin to the original, but it feels like a mix of the two films without truly owning its own identity. The plot is predictable, and the action scenes, while entertaining, can't save the movie from its overall lackluster feel. I watched 'Bald Nanny' on Ivi, and while the cinematography is visually appealing, capturing the beauty of Russia's landscapes, the characters are underdeveloped and lack any real depth. The pacing is slow, making it hard to stay engaged. The film's themes of family and loyalty are heartwarming, even if they're not particularly original. Overall, 'Bald Nanny' feels like a missed opportunity to create something truly unique.
settingsSpecifications
Oyun7/10
KararKötü
Kalite6/10
Aktörler6/10
I finally got around to watching the Russian film 'Bald Nanny,' which premiered in the fall of 2025. I'd been meaning to check it out, but it didn't exactly grab my attention when it was in theaters. Instead, I ended up watching it on the online cinema platform 'Ivi.'
Director: Alisa Shitikova
Release: November 13, 2025 (theatrical), December 30, 2025 (Ivi)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Family
When I first heard about this release, I immediately thought back to my favorite childhood film 'Bald Njka,' also known as 'The Nanny with Special Assignment.' I was convinced that our film was a Russian adaptation, not just something similar with the same name.
In a way, it turned out to be true, with some minor changes to certain moments.
Major FSB officer Alexander Vetrev has been developing a group for a long time, which has a top-secret program on a flash drive that needs to be retrieved. The flash drive turns out to be in the Lapin household, so Alexander becomes a nanny while the mom is away on a business trip to Krasnoyarsk. Now he starts an active battle with the kids, all while searching for the flash drive.
I wasn't surprised to see Nikita Panfilov play the main character, Alexander Vetrev, since he somewhat resembles the character of Shane Wolf from 2005 (tall and bald, athletic build). Honestly, if Vin Diesel had convinced me right off the bat that his character was cool, Nikita Panfilov barely managed to do the same, and only with some effort at the end. I have to admit, I respect his acting work, but here it just didn't quite work out. Maybe because my mind was set on a certain image of the character with a certain actor, and unfortunately, Panfilov couldn't quite top that.
Of course, I compared him to Vin Diesel's character the whole time, and it was definitely not in Nikita's favor. To be honest, I got the feeling at the beginning of the movie that the main character wasn't quite like a superhero. I mean, I watch Alexander chasing after a criminal, and I just don't believe he'll catch up.
As soon as Alexander settled into the Lapin's house, he seemed not just nervous, but even slightly unhinged, so I didn't exactly take to him.
And I couldn't help but think of how Shane behaved, even though he was confused, and how Vetrov behaved. Later on, the main character started to get used to the kids, and I started to get used to him too, but that's as far as it went. I didn't exactly get excited thinking about the movie 'Bald Nanny,' let alone the character of Nikita Panfilov (of course, Vin Diesel would be playing that role). We'll also see Vetrov's girlfriend, played by Marina Vasilyeva - a computer genius who comes to his aid at the right time and in the right moment.
I was a bit surprised to see familiar faces playing the bad guys in this movie. One of them I wasn't entirely sure about, but I made a mental note to keep an eye on her. Initially, I didn't recognize the actress, but after checking out her filmography, I realized I knew her! Unfortunately, she didn't quite impress me with her acting. In this role, her character didn't come across as a tough tech-savvy woman. It's a weird combo – the actress couldn't elevate the character to that level, and the writers put her in some pretty ridiculous situations that made me chuckle rather than inspiring awe.
The trio of kids, played by Maria Abramova, Mark-Malik Murashkin, and Varvara Kuprina,
Before watching, I thought it was a shame that Polina Ayntdinova wasn't cast as the little girl – she would have been a great fit for the role of the mischievous kid (although, I only just realized she's 12, not 7, as I had in my head). As it turned out, Varvara, the youngest of the trio, was the only one who managed to convince me of her acting. I wouldn't give her a perfect score, but it was nice to watch her character. The older kids, on the other hand, just played their parts, and not always convincingly.
I have to mention Natasha, the neighbor, played by Elizaveta Goncharenko. She brought so much positivity and charisma to the role. Although her character acted foolishly and annoyingly, the actress played it perfectly – it was bright, stunning, and charismatic.
Marina Denisova as Olga Lapina was my favorite.
I have to admit, there were times when I wished I could get to know the nanny better. At first, I thought the woman's decision to leave the kids with this stranger was reckless: a big guy in a weird uniform shows up, and she just leaves him with the kids without even confirming who he is. To make matters worse, she doesn't even give him her phone number. I guess that's just a movie thing, but it's one of the reasons I just couldn't get into this film. I was actually tempted to turn it off early on, but I decided to stick with it and see how the story would unfold.
Can Vetrov connect with the kids? I was skeptical at first, given how nervous he was, but I understood that he had to try. After all, Shane had his own struggles, and the kids would often tease him, but he still managed to help them out and teach them a thing or two. The 2005 film did a great job of showing the nanny and the kids working together, helping each other out, and supporting one another. In this film, however, that aspect was glossed over, especially considering the movie's theme of teamwork. I would have loved to see more of the nanny's interactions with the kids, some warm and heartwarming moments that would have shown her growth and development as a character. Instead, these moments were rushed and felt like an afterthought.
I have to say, the warmth, the heart, and the cozy atmosphere in the main characters' home was what I missed the most. If I had been able to fully feel all that, I would have given a high rating and considered it a worthy family film.
The action scenes and fights made up for the lack of warmth, delivering on the action-packed genre.
I didn't find any laugh-out-loud moments, but I did notice a couple of funny moments while watching.
Things got more interesting in the middle of the film, and I found myself curious about what would happen next. The annoying factors disappeared, but I wouldn't say the film had a lot of dynamics - it was more on the moderate side, without any intense events. The plot developed, but without much variety.
The visuals were nice, but it felt like I was looking at decorations in the main characters' home. The music was pleasant, but it didn't stand out to me (which I consider a plus).
Verdict: despite my love for Russian films and series, and even having seen many adaptations, I didn't quite connect with 'Bald Nanny.' I got invested in the story by the middle, but the first half really disappointed me. I wouldn't re-watch it, but I'd recommend it to fans of the genre. It's even a decent background film.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is 'Bald Nanny' a direct adaptation of 'Bald Njka'?
While the film takes inspiration from the original, it's not a direct adaptation. The director, Alisa Shitikova, has made some significant changes to the story and characters.
Who directed 'Bald Nanny'?
The film was directed by Alisa Shitikova, a Russian filmmaker known for her work in the action-comedy genre.
When was 'Bald Nanny' released?
The film premiered in theaters on November 13, 2025, and was later released on the online cinema platform Ivi on December 30, 2025.
What's the plot of 'Bald Nanny'?
The film follows a major FSB officer who goes undercover as a nanny to retrieve a top-secret flash drive. Along the way, he must navigate the challenges of childcare and espionage.
Is 'Bald Nanny' suitable for families?
Yes, the film is rated for all ages and is suitable for families. However, it's worth noting that the movie's themes and humor may not appeal to all audiences.
Can I watch 'Bald Nanny' on Ivi?
Yes, 'Bald Nanny' is available to stream on Ivi, a popular online cinema platform in Russia.
What's the runtime of 'Bald Nanny'?
The film's runtime is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Is 'Bald Nanny' available in theaters?
No, 'Bald Nanny' is no longer playing in theaters. However, it's available to stream on Ivi and other online platforms.
check_circlePros
- •The film's action scenes are engaging and well-choreographed.
- •The cast does a decent job of bringing their characters to life.
- •The cinematography is visually appealing, capturing the beauty of Russia's landscapes.
- •The film's themes of family and loyalty are heartwarming, even if they're not particularly original.
- •The score is catchy and adds to the movie's overall energy.
- •The film's attempts at humor are occasionally successful, making it an enjoyable watch.
cancelCons
- •The plot is predictable and lacks any real surprises.
- •The film's attempts at recreating the magic of 'Bald Njka' fall flat, feeling like a lazy copy.
- •The characters are underdeveloped and lack any real depth.
- •The pacing is slow, making it hard to stay engaged.
- •The film's themes are overly familiar and don't bring anything new to the table.
- •The movie's climax is rushed and feels like an afterthought.
