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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Play trailer Poster for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle R 1992 1h 50m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
67% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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.

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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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Critics Reviews

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Henry Sheehan Chicago Reader 05/26/2022
3/4
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... Go to Full Review Michael Upchurch Seattle Times 07/10/2013
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer 07/10/2013
2.5/4
The film is unusually gripping. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 8
2.5/4
Five years before adapting and directing the modern masterpiece L.A. Confidential, Curtis Hanson helmed this sizable box office hit that, like 1987's Fatal Attraction, used home invasion as a crafty commercial hook. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast 04/12/2025
This era's of pearl-clutching domestic horror or privileged peril was fascinating. Go to Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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mohammed M. @9mr_0 Feb 21 الفلم حلو . القصة جيدة احداثها متماسكة و حواراتها عاديه . اداء الممثلين كان جيد بشكل عام لكن بعض الشخصيات لم تاخذ المساحه الكافية من الظهور او حتى في الحوارات. الاخراج جيد سرد الفلم بشكل متزن و هادىء قدم الشخصيات بشكل جيد لكن كما قلنا المخرج ركز على عدد من الممثلين و قدم اخرين لكن لم يعطيهم مساحه كافية . التصوير كان جيد حركة الكامرة كانت سلسه والالوان و الاضائه كانت متناسقة .الموسيقى جيدة ومتناسبه مع المشهد. بختصار هو فلم درامي حواراته عادية لكن اجوائه حلوه . See more Eye C @ECinc Jan 10 Now this stills keeps the style and it’s stressing. The performances are really good with the complete cast, a good 90s movie See more Unique C. @uniquecliches Dec 27 This movie resembles a TV movie. While the script has a few promising premises, it lacks believability. Everything the villain plans works out perfectly- against all odds and common sense. The characters are one-dimensional and fail to develop to the point that they are not very likable. Despite her limited screen time, Julian Moore stands out as a more believable character and displaying better acting. See more Farah R @Farah Nov 25 The 90s were a strong decade for thrillers, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is one of the good ones, albeit not among the best. The film's nerve-racking buildup of suspense and dread, along with a chilling performance by Rebecca De Mornay, successfully keep viewers on the edge of their seats. See more Richard N @karenn Nov 17 They don't make them like this anymore, great movie. Good acting. See more Tim M @tgmacman Nov 16 Wholly derivative of its psychological thriller contemporaries, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle can't nurse any original ideas. See more Read all reviews
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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Cast & Crew

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Annabella Sciorra

Claire Bartel

Rebecca De Mornay

Peyton Flanders

Matt McCoy

Michael Bartel

Ernie Hudson

Solomon

Julianne Moore

Marlene Craven

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." A scene from the film "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle." View more photos

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
Producer
David Madden
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
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo