The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

After her humiliated husband kills himself, an embittered pregnant widow loses her child, and embarks on a mission of vengeance against a woman and her family.

Director:

Curtis Hanson

Writer:

Amanda Silver

Stars:

Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay, Matt McCoy

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Annabella Sciorra	...	Claire
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Peyton
Matt McCoy	...	Michael
Ernie Hudson	...	Solomon
Julianne Moore	...	Marlene
Madeline Zima	...	Emma
John de Lancie	...	Dr. Mott
Kevin Skousen	...	Marty
Mitchell Laurance	...	Lawyer
Justin Zaremby	...	Schoolyard Bully
Eric Melander	...	Baby Joe
Jennifer Melander	...	Baby Joe
Ashley Melander	...	Baby Joe
Cliff Lenz	...	Seattle Today Host
Penny LeGate	...	Seattle Today Host

Storyline

Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay) seemed to be the perfect nanny, but secretly she was out to wreck the lives of the family she was supposed to be helping. Before becoming the nanny, Peyton had a miscarriage due to the stress caused by the death of her husband, Dr. Victor Mott (John de Lancie), and blamed it on Claire (the mother, played by Annabella Sciorra),. Claire suspects nothing, having never met Peyton before.

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Plot Keywords:

gynecological exam | sexual assault | gynecologist | female nudity | lifting a female into the air | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror, violence, a scene of sexual molestation, and for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher McDonald turned down the part of Michael.

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Goofs

What Claire has isn't asthma it's actually panic attacks. Asthma attacks are not brought on by sudden stress or anxiety, they are brought on by bacterial, infection, stuff of that nature. You can tell with how quickly she is breathing during her "asthma" attack that it is a panic attack and not an asthma attack.

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Quotes

Solomon: I won't let you hurt them!

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Crazy Credits

As the end credits roll, we see the Bartel residence.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Life with Mikey/Super Mario Bros./Guilty as Sin/What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)

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Soundtracks

O DRY THE GLISTENING TEAR
from "Pirates of Penzance"
Written by W.S. Gilbert (uncredited) and Arthur Sullivan (uncredited)
Performed by The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Courtesy of London Records
A Division of PolyGram Classics

User Reviews

Will rock your world!

This is a chilling movie to spend a day or night with. Mrs. Moss (Rebecca De Mornay) seeks revenge on Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) for reporting her husband Dr. Moss for sexual harassment, which lead to the doctor's suicide and precipitating Moss' miscarriage. She poses as nanny Peyton for the Bartel family, with the intention of raising hell.

Rebecca De Mornay gave an outrageously evil performance. The plot is solid and fast-paced; the only problem I have is the method Claire used to interview Peyton for the nanny position. She only asked Peyton, "How did you become to be a nanny?" leaving out relevant questions like health, personal background, prior jobs, resumes, way with kids, etc. Other than that, I enjoyed watching this movie and especially liked Julianne Moore's character, with her making smart, acid wit remarks. I especially liked her line "You have a Harvard education, make something up."

Overall, a great mystery movie with some good action mixed in.

Grade A

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Filming Locations:

810 N. Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,675,016, 12 January 1992

Gross USA:

$88,036,683

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$88,036,683

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Interscope Communications, Nomura Babcock & Brown

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1