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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

55%
40%
74%
N/A
N/A
N/A
55 %
Reviews Counted: 33 Fresh: 18  Rotten:15 Average Rating: 5.6/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Synopsis: Rebecca De Mornay stars as a nanny with an evil agenda in this psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL). When her new obstetrician Dr. Mott (John DeLancie), touches Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) inappropriately during an exam, Claire reports him. The... Rebecca De Mornay stars as a nanny with an evil agenda in this psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL). When her new obstetrician Dr. Mott (John DeLancie), touches Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) inappropriately during an exam, Claire reports him. The scandal ultimately causes Dr. Mott's suicide and his wife's miscarriage. Determined to have both a child and revenge, Mrs. Mott (De Mornay), now going by the name Peyton Flanders, poses as the perfect nanny and is hired by Claire and her husband, Michael (Matt McCoy), to care for their young daughter, Emma (Madeline Zima), and infant son. Seemingly sweet and helpful, Peyton slowly infiltrates the family's world. Once she has gained their trust, she begins to wreak havoc in their lives. Claire begins to doubt her husband's fidelity, her abilities as a mother, and virtually every other aspect of her life--including her sanity--as Peyton deliberately tries to ruin her life and replace her as a wife and mother. De Mornay is a delicious villain--all sugar and spice in front of the family but positively venomous when plotting and executing her revenge. Director Hanson crafts his thriller with great skill and attention to character, making this a must-see. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Rebecca De Mornay, Annabella Sciorra, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore

Director: Curtis Hanson
Screenwriter: Amanda Silver
Producer: David Madden
Composer: Graeme Revell

DVD Info

Release:

Aug 12, 1998

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
  • Dolby Surround - French

Additional Release Material:

  • Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer

Interactive Features:

  • Scene Access
  • Interactive Menus

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image
N/A

De Mornay seems to have found her true vocation playing the nanny from hell, but while the ensuing thrills may well be enjoyed by many, anyone with offspring of their own would be wise to stay away.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/14/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

As the film progresses, malicious schemes and loony excesses are combined, with Hanson's self-conscious direction rendering one particularly sensational murder even more implausible.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

A unexpected pleasure to watch, disturbing for new parents, slightly silly but ever so enjoyable.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barry McIlheney
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3.5/4

This jovially sinister, middle-class morality tale-cum-horror show is predictable, implausible and fiendishly entertaining.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/14/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

A low-key thriller that will make baby boomers double-check the references of any prospective nanny.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/14/08
Variety Staff
Variety
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Ratings Image
N/A

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/14/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/07/07
Chuck O'Leary
FulvueDrive-in.com
Ratings Image
4/5

Scary premise of mad sitter vs mother and child...effective.

comment Comment
02/06/07
Steve Crum
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Ratings Image
B-

Touted as Fatal Attraction for the 1990s, this well-directed thrille (by Curtis Hanson) also features a blonde sociopath, except that the terror in of the family in this yarn is from within.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/10/06
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
4/5

Great suspense thriller.

comment Comment
11/14/05
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
08/04/05
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/11/05
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
06/11/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/06/05
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
01/29/05
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Ratings Image
2.5/5

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/30/04
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
03/27/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
Ratings Image
3/5

Lots of Fun, Lots of thrills

comment Comment
03/04/04
Clint Morris
Moviehole
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
01/15/04
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Ratings Image
4/5

De Mornay at her diabolical best.

comment Comment
06/24/03
Kevin A. Ranson
MovieCrypt.com
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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