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.
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
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
- Curtis Hanson Director
- Annabella Sciorra as Claire Bartel
- Rebecca De Mornay as Mrs. Mott / Peyton Flanders
- Matt McCoy as Michael Bartel
- Ernie Hudson as Solomon
- Madeline Zima as Emma Bartel
- Julianne Moore as Marlene Craven
- John de Lancie as Dr. Victor Mott
- Kevin Skousen as Marty Craven
- Mitchell Laurance as Lawyer
- Jane Jones as Woman in Park
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
The film is unusually gripping.
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.
With its banal, docile household threatened by an enemy within, the film is like The Stepfather without wit or irony.
At its best, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a bright, nasty psychological thriller with a joker up its sleeve.
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