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The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for The Hand That Rocks The Cradle R 2025 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 26% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Caitlin Morales, an upscale suburban mom who brings a new nanny, Polly Murphy (Maika Monroe), into her home, only to discover she is not the person she claims to be.
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The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

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Critics Consensus

A flat and unnecessary remake that squanders its premise on convoluted plotting and meager thrills, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is salvaged only slightly by Maika Monroe's committed performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Christy Lemire FilmWeek (LAist) This movie is not lurid enough. I wanted tawdry, cheesy early 90's thriller, and this doesn't hard enough into that. Nov 10, 2025 Full Review Peter Travers The Travers Take I didn’t believe a word of it. Convoluted barely describes the explanations put forth. But this is Halloween season, people, and we take our thrills and chills when they come. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 31, 2025 Full Review Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Winstead gives it her all but Monroe fails to give anyone the creeps. Rated: 2/4 Oct 30, 2025 Full Review Manuel Betancourt FilmWeek (LAist) There were so many plot holes that I just couldn't get invested. Nov 10, 2025 Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Ditches the campy shenanigans of the original in favor of a more character-focused, if somewhat predictable, affair. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 10, 2025 Full Review Maxance Vincent InSession Film The rare case of a remake surpassing the original, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is an assured sophomore effort from Mexican filmmaker Michelle Garza Cervera. Rated: B+ Nov 8, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Andrei D It's entirely too traditional, with almost no interesting acting, limited surprises, and just Martin Starr trying to do something Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Anthony S. This movie was twisted and unpredictable that every scene leaves you tense, uneasy, and glued to the screen, never sure what she’ll do next. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/09/25 Full Review Jennifer and Griffin M Absolutely terrible. There are words for how terrible this truly is. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/05/25 Full Review Brooklyn K. Pretty good movie. I doubt there will be another one but It kinda leaves off on a cliffhanger Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/04/25 Full Review Conor J Honestly, I didn’t expect much when I heard the film was being reimagined. I had hoped that maybe the retelling might captivate and excite in its newest form. Sadly, it misses the mark completely when it comes to atmosphere, music and the overall story. Dull and uninspiring and turned off after 30 minutes. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 11/04/25 Full Review Blair F I can't apologize to my soul enough for making it endure this disaster. Literally none of it is realistic -- the reactions to obvious malfeasance, the trope when everything goes wrong for one person but no one believes her. It's so God awful, I can't believe 28% people liked it. Maybe it's the first and only movie they've ever seen. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/04/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

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Movie Info

Synopsis Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Caitlin Morales, an upscale suburban mom who brings a new nanny, Polly Murphy (Maika Monroe), into her home, only to discover she is not the person she claims to be.
Director
Michelle Garza Cervera
Producer
Ted Field, Mike Larocca, Michael Schaefer
Screenwriter
Micah Bloomberg, Micah Bloomberg
Distributor
Hulu
Production Co
20th Century Studios
Rating
R (Language|Some Strong/Bloody Violence|Sexual Content)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2025
Runtime
1h 42m
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