The Tie That Binds (1995)

10% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
34% of users liked it
(1,239 ratings)

Produced by the same team that bankrolled the hit The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, this violent domestic thriller is often compared to that mega-hit. Screenwriter Wesley Strick made his directorial debut with this script by Michael Auerbach. Vincent Spano and Moira Kelly are Russell and Dana Clifton,… More Produced by the same team that bankrolled the hit The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, this violent domestic thriller is often compared to that mega-hit. Screenwriter Wesley Strick made his directorial debut with this script by Michael Auerbach. Vincent Spano and Moira Kelly are Russell and Dana Clifton, a successful but childless yuppie couple who adopt a mesmerizing young girl named Janie (Julia Devin). Janie has suicidal tendencies, however -- she walks out into crowded streets, keeps a butcher knife under her bed, and sometimes cuts herself. She also has psychotic white-trash parents, John and Leann Netherwood (Keith Carradine and Daryl Hannah). The Netherwoods are crooks forced to give up their daughter, but once released from jail, they are intent on getting her back. They kill an adoption agency worker and a police officer as part of their vendetta, terrorizing the suburban town as they target the Cliftons in their all-out war for the return of Janie. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Wesley Strick
Written By: Michael Auerbach
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 8, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 11, 2000

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark, USA Today
One of the sleaziest movies of the year and certainly the most unpleasant.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A chilling experience
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
The Tie That Binds is an attempt to recapture the spirit of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, which was itself simply a more sophisticated variation on the slasher genre.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Wahida K

A Brilliant Thriller! Janie's been adopted by the perfect couple. With their help she can find a new life. If her real parents don't find her first.
Dannielle A

A fairly predictable thriller yet still pretty good. I closed my eyes twice!

Cast

            Daryl Hannah as Leann Netherwood

            Keith Carradine as John Netherwood

            Moira Kelly as Dana Clifton

            Vincent Spano as Russell Clifton

            Cynda Williams as Lisa-Maria Chandler

            Carmen Argenziano as Phil Hawkes

            Kevin Bourland as Man in Range Rover

            Greg Collins as Bartender

            Kerrie Cullen as Female Police Officer

            Jenny Gago as Maggie

            Willie Garson as Ray Tanton

            Laurie Latham as Alex

            Gene Lythgow as Detective Lorenz

            Melanie MacQueen as Waitress

            Coleen Maloney as Security Guard

            Benjamin Mouton as Father in Restaurant

            Ray Reinhardt as Sam Bennett

            George Marshall Ruge as Detective

            Barbara Tarbuck as Jean Bennett

            Ned Vaughn as Officer Carrey

            Bruce A. Young as Gil Chandler

            Chris Ellis as Security Guard

            Bob Minor as Male Police Officer

            Tommy Rosales Jr. as Detective

            Jack Johnson (II) as Boy in Restaurant

            Julia Devin
            
See full cast