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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Play trailer Poster for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle R Released Jan 10, 1992 1h 50m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 54 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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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer The film is unusually gripping. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 10, 2013 Full Review Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast This era's of pearl-clutching domestic horror or privileged peril was fascinating. Apr 12, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pete B One of the most underrated thrillers. Does not disappoint. People talk about Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction being the best thrillers from the era, but check this one out and you decide. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/20/25 Full Review Dwayne W Great cast, twists, and maniacal villain Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/17/25 Full Review Belo M A villainous performance of a lifetime Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/25 Full Review Gina R 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 5 out of 5 stars 06/19/25 Full Review Janis E Revenge psychopathy is covered with a cool story, and simple plot, and settings. One can not give a break while watching. And all the cast perform cool, particularly Rebecca De Mornay in being cool, and wicked, and Ernie Hudson in being mentally disabled role. An emotionally intense subject is covered in 110 minutes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review James O All of the best parts here go to women -- Sciorra, De Mornay and Julianne Moore in a supporting bit as Claire's cynical, suspicious friend. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) View more photos

Movie Info

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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