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Poster for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Trust is her weapon. Innocence her opportunity. Revenge her only desire.

1992 · 1h 50m · R Drama, Thriller
Directed by Curtis Hanson

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Overview

A suburban family chooses seemingly sweet Peyton Flanders as their newborn's nanny. Only much later does the infant's mother, Claire Bartel, realize Peyton's true intentions -- to destroy Claire and replace her in the family. The nail-biting suspense builds quickly in this chilling psychological thriller about deception and bitter revenge.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
67%
Tomatometer
Fresh

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.

Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times
Fresh

The film is unusually gripping.

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten

The careful structure of THTRTC guarantees that the movie will generate a fair amount of suspense throughout. But the single-mindedness of the movie is a genuine limitation, and, watching it, you begin to feel spoon-fed.

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Rotten

With its banal, docile household threatened by an enemy within, the film is like The Stepfather without wit or irony.

Michael Sragow, New Yorker
Fresh

At its best, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a bright, nasty psychological thriller with a joker up its sleeve.

Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times

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