The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
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58% of critics liked it
(33 reviews) -
60% of users liked it
(45,973 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 falls… 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
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 50 min.
- Directed By
- Curtis Hanson
- Written By
- Amanda Silver
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 10, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 28, 2001
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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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.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
This anti-feminist parable is both a labor and a pain.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Annabella Sciorraas Claire Bartel -
Rebecca De Mornayas Peyton Flanders -
Matt McCoyas Michael Bartel
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Ernie Hudsonas Solomon -
Julianne Mooreas Marlene -
Madeline Zimaas Emma Bartel
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