The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

R

Released Jan 10, 1992

1h 50m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

When she was assaulted by her doctor, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) reported him to the police, and rather than go to prison for his crime, he killed himself. The shock of the accusations and suicide caused the doctor's pregnant wife, Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay), to have a miscarriage. Driven mad with rage, Peyton poses as a nanny for the Bartel family. Her plan: to tear Claire's life apart, seduce her husband (Matt McCoy) and eventually murder the woman she blames for ruining her life.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks largely to Rebecca De Mornay's delightfully villainous turn in the central role, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is an entertaining -- albeit rather silly -- domestic thriller.

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Henry Sheehan

Chicago Reader

Hanson doesn’t take any plot shortcuts either. We know right from the start who Peyton is and what she’s up to. The film even plays fair with our sympathies...

Rated: 3/4

May 26, 2022

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Michael Upchurch

Seattle Times

This is De Mornay's film and she's a wicked treat, looking daggers at her enemy one moment and then glazing over with sweetness the next.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 10, 2013

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

The film is unusually gripping.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 10, 2013

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Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

De Mornay is a pleasure to watch here: frozen-eyed and still, she has the poise of a tiger haunched in tall grasses and eyeing its prey.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 9, 2023

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

No one who comes to the house ever recognizes the domestic helper as the dead physician’s wife, but once you have swallowed this improbability, you become completely enthralled by the ingenuity of the story, by its suspense, and by its terrifying climax.

Apr 6, 2022

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Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

While certain elements (such as the depiction of people with disabilities) has aged poorly, the consideration of women and motherhood still resonates. This is 100 De Mornay's show and Peyton is a hugely compelling, and surprisingly sympathetic, villain

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 9, 2022

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Vick D

Love to see a reboot of this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Glen E

A very underrated movie with standout performances all around

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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The Great John A

Mediocre at best, this one just doesn't hit right and feels like a cheesy TV movie. Performances really carry this one but not much else to say really. Would not recommend to people who want to be scared because it isn't really horror and it isn't really a drama, I don't think it knows what it's trying to be. Overall not one I'm necessarily keen in, but everyone has a preference although I just didn't find anything great in it. Grade: C

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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Julian S

In her most iconic role, Rebecca De Mornay is enthralling, akin to a dominant predator, patiently poised for its chance to strike. You can't help but cheer for her.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/26/24

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Audience Member

Over 30 years old I remember watching it a few years back This is one of the most terrifying performances by Rebecca de Mornay But you see where the seeds are planted in terms of her insane, obsessiveness to take another persons family I forgot Julianne Moore was in this but she's killed off quick This was also Madeline Zima's first movie I like Ernie Hudson too and this inspired countless lifetime and LMN movies of the same ilk Amazing it made over $140 million Definitely made parents afraid to hire nannies for their kids It's pretty scary too Harvey Weinstein actually assaulted Annabella Sciorra in real life it almost ruined her career It is a shame director Curtis Hanson passed away too young I didn't know this was based on a poem by William Ross Wallace Still a good home thriller

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

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Brian Y

A movie about what happens when you hire Hillary Clinton as your nanny.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Annabella Sciorra

Claire Bartel

Rebecca De Mornay

Peyton Flanders

Matt McCoy

Michael Bartel

Ernie Hudson

Solomon

Julianne Moore

Marlene Craven

Consenting Adults

23%

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Synopsis

When she was assaulted by her doctor, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) reported him to the police, and rather than go to prison for his crime, he killed himself. The shock of the accusations and suicide caused the doctor's pregnant wife, Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay), to have a miscarriage. Driven mad with rage, Peyton poses as a nanny for the Bartel family. Her plan: to tear Claire's life apart, seduce her husband (Matt McCoy) and eventually murder the woman she blames for ruining her life.

Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: David Madden
Screenwriter: Amanda Silver
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Interscope Communications
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 10, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $87.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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