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      The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

      R Released Jan 10, 1992 1 hr. 50 min. Mystery & Thriller List
      66% 53 Reviews Tomatometer 61% 25,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 10 Buy Now

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      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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      Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Ellie B Really tense and exciting. Horrible to think of your home being invaded in this way Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Tony M Very good movie. Well worth seeing if you haven't. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Rebecca de Mornay and the whole cast did an outstanding job and that’s good thriller. Yes I highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson Arkansas August 14, 2023 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/15/23 Full Review Jack O The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is an psychological thriller about a psychopathic nanny named Peyton who wants to kill Claire and mainly steal her family. In the beginning Claire has been sexually molested by the doctor named Dr. Mott and when the news is on about what happened, Dr. Mott commit suicide. Now Peyton swears vengeance after losing her baby and the chill is on. Ernie Hudson is in this as Soloman, many of people knew in Ghostbusters, even Julianne Moore. The film is directed by Curtis Hanson who sadly passed away. This film gave me chills when something is about to happen and you can feel it when you're about to watch it. You can certainly feel the creepiness through the whole film when the villain is plotting something devious. Yeah, it's an enjoyable film just for the creepiness and the chills. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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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 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 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 Full Review Read all reviews

      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
      Executive Producer
      Robert W. Cort, Ted Field, Rick Jaffa
      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
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Stereo
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