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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)

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Reviews Counted:31

Fresh:17

Rotten:14

Average Rating:5.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

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

Starring: Rebecca De Mornay, Annabella Sciorra, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore, Madeline Zima, John DeLancie

Director: Curtis Hanson

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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat

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 Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 14 2008 05:22 PM

Channel 4 Film

splat

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 Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:17 AM

Time Out

tomato
4/5

Barry McIlheney

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 01 2000 12:00 AM

Empire Magazine

N/R

David Ansen

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 07:10 AM

Newsweek

tomato
3.5/4

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 14 2008 05:08 PM

TV Guide's Movie Guide

tomato

Variety Staff

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 14 2008 05:07 PM

Variety

tomato

Jonathan Rosenbaum

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 Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 14 2008 05:05 PM

Chicago Reader

splat
2/5

Chuck O'Leary

No review available.

comment Comment | May., 07 2007 07:54 PM

FulvueDrive-in.com

tomato
4/5

Steve Crum

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

comment Comment | Feb., 06 2007 07:18 PM

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

tomato
B-

Emanuel Levy

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 Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 10 2006 12:49 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato
4/5

Cole Smithey

Great suspense thriller.

comment Comment | Nov., 14 2005 09:11 PM

ColeSmithey.com

splat
2/5

Jake Euker

No review available.

comment Comment | Aug., 04 2005 09:50 PM

F5 (Wichita, KS)

tomato
3/5

Michael Dequina

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 11 2005 10:43 PM

TheMovieReport.com

tomato
3/5

Thomas Delapa

No review available.

comment Comment | May., 06 2005 01:56 PM

Boulder Weekly

splat
2/5

Philip Martin

No review available.

comment Comment | Jan., 29 2005 09:10 AM

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

splat
2.5/5

Vincent Canby

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 Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 30 2004 10:17 PM

New York Times

splat
2/5

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

No review available.

comment Comment | Mar., 27 2004 10:57 AM

Spirituality and Practice

tomato
3/5

Clint Morris

Lots of Fun, Lots of thrills

comment Comment | Mar., 04 2004 11:35 PM

Moviehole

tomato
3/5

Nell Minow

No review available.

comment Comment | Jan., 15 2004 07:09 PM

Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

tomato
4/5

Kevin A. Ranson

De Mornay at her diabolical best.

comment Comment | Jun., 24 2003 06:40 PM

MovieCrypt.com

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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