The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
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59% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
60% of users liked it
(46,519 ratings)
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is director Curtis Hanson's suburban horror story of a demented nanny bent on revenge for past wrongs. Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay) was once a happily married woman, but when her doctor husband is accused of assaulting a patient and he commits suicide, her world… More The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is director Curtis Hanson's suburban horror story of a demented nanny bent on revenge for past wrongs. Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay) was once a happily married woman, but when her doctor husband is accused of assaulting a patient and he commits suicide, her world falls apart and she plots revenge. Claire (Annabella Sciorra), the woman who made the accusation, hires Peyton as a nanny, not knowing of their past involvement. Peyton then proceeds to terrorize the family, attempts to seduce the husband and generally destroy Claire as she feels she has been destroyed. The film, while somewhat implausible, is saved by the strong performances of Sciorra and De Mornay. Rebecca De Mornay has not given such a good performance since Risky Business, and she manages to make Peyton both believable, frightening and sympathetic. De Mornay has many great moments, but the scene, where she slowly destroys a bathroom in her impotent rage is unbelievably powerful. Hanson, a superb director of thrillers, manages to bring all the elements together to make The Hand that Rocks the Cradle a frightening psychological thriller and an interesting look at a woman's obsessive hatred and envy. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Directed By
- Curtis Hanson
- Written By
- Amanda Silver
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 10, 1992 Wide
- Studio
- Disney
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
A low-key thriller that will make baby boomers double-check the references of any prospective nanny.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Curtis Hanson's direction and Amanda Silver's screenplay are both models of no-flab craft and intelligence, and all the actors (who also include Ernie Hudson and Julianne Moore) are believable from the first frame to the last.
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, Time Out
As the film progresses, malicious schemes and loony excesses are combined, with Hanson's self-conscious direction rendering one particularly sensational murder even more implausible.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
Hanson creates the occasionally effective shock effect to satisfy those who want to squeal in mock fright. More often the devices he uses are such tired tricks... to create the illusion of suspense that can't be sustained.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Cradle is the kind of cheap thrill you hate yourself for responding to. But director Curtis Hanson and a terrific cast provide enough scary fun to make Cradle the first fright-night hit of '92.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Annabella Sciorra
as Claire Bartel
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Rebecca De Mornay
as Peyton Flanders
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Matt McCoy
as Michael Bartel
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Ernie Hudson
as Solomon
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Julianne Moore
as Marlene
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Madeline Zima
as Emma Bartel
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John DeLancie
as Dr. Mott
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Kevin Skousen
as Marty
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Susan Chin
as Newscaster
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Julie Clemmons
as Female Lab Worker
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Jeff Conkel
as Paramedic
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Laura Ferri
as Emergency Room Nurse
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Brian Finney
as Botanical Gardens Worker
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Tom Francis
as Marlene's Assistant
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Kimberly Hill
as Newscaster
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Todd Jamieson
as Surgeon
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Jane Jones
as Woman in Park
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Aimee Kanemori
as Child in Schoolyard
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Mitchell Laurence
as Lawyer
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Penny LeGate
as "Seattle Today" Host
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Cliff Lenz
as "Seattle Today" Host
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Charles Lucia
as Realtor
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Ericka Matson
as Child in Schoolyard
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Cristine McMurdo-Wallis
as Peyton's Nurse
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Ashley Melander
as Baby Joe
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Eric Melander
as Baby Joe
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Jennifer Melander
as Baby Joe
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Elaine Micklesen
as Child in Schoolyard
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Mary Anne Owen
as Dr. Mott's Nurse
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Patrick Ryals
as Policeman
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David Scully
as Male Lab Worker
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Sara Jennifer Sharp
as Peyton's Nurse
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Therese Xavier Tinling
as Receptionist
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Dee Dee Van Zyl
as Emergency Room Nurse
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Stephen West
as Federal Express Clerk
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Justin Zaremby
as Schoolyard Bully
- Junie Lowry-Johnson
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Joseph Franklin
as Man at Cleaners
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Robert James
as Child in Schoolyard
