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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 52 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 May 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 Jul 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 Jul 10, 2013
2.5/4
The film is unusually gripping. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 8, 2025
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 Apr 12, 2025
This era's of pearl-clutching domestic horror or privileged peril was fascinating. Go to Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) May 9, 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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Albert W @CommonSenseAl Oct 23, 2026 Classic well-done thriller. Very entertaining. See more Joe G @darkknight85 Oct 8, 2026 Classic! Whenever she pumped out all her athsma medicine I was like 😳😧 See more Christian K @ckacar Jul 29, 2026 The villain nanny gets enough evil smirks in to last a lifetime. A real poor performance by the husband here. See more Antony B @RT29664284 Jul 27, 2026 The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a masterclass in proving that the most terrifying monsters don't lurk in haunted houses—they offer to help with the kids. Rebecca De Mornay delivers a performance so calm, calculated, and unsettling that she can make pouring a glass of milk feel like the opening move in a psychological chess match. She doesn't chew the scenery, she quietly rearranges the furniture while everyone else is distracted. What makes the film endure is its confidence. It doesn't sprint from one shock to the next. Instead, it patiently tightens the tension, letting suspicion build one seemingly harmless interaction at a time until the atmosphere becomes almost unbearable. The brilliance lies in how ordinary everything appears on the surface. Beautiful homes, friendly conversations, smiling neighbours... and beneath it all, a slow-burning nightmare hiding in plain sight. It's a reminder that trust can be the most dangerous thing you give away. See more Sabra P @Sabra606 Jul 16, 2026 The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is that rare thing, a realistic thriller wise enough not to sell short any of its characters. Just be prepared to become very, very scared when you see it. See more Chris R @christr77 Jul 2, 2026 For a horror thriller, it was certainly over the top, but I enjoyed it well enough. It would have been better if it didn't have the l*sbo stuff in it, but that's what the fast-forward button is for. Overall, it's something to watch, but not something I'd go out of my way to seek out. 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
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