Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Annabella Sciorra | ... | Claire Bartel | |
Rebecca De Mornay | ... | Mrs. Mott / Peyton Flanders | |
Matt McCoy | ... | Michael Bartel | |
Ernie Hudson | ... | Solomon | |
Julianne Moore | ... | Marlene Craven | |
Madeline Zima | ... | Emma Bartel | |
John de Lancie | ... | Dr. Victor Mott | |
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Kevin Skousen | ... | Marty Craven |
Mitchell Laurance | ... | Lawyer | |
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Justin Zaremby | ... | Roth, the Schoolyard Bully |
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Eric Melander | ... | Joey 'Joe' Bartel |
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Jennifer Melander | ... | Joey 'Joe' Bartel |
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Ashley Melander | ... | Joey 'Joe' Bartel |
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Cliff Lenz | ... | Seattle Today Host |
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Penny LeGate | ... | Seattle Today Host |
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. Written by Rob Hartill
Just the opening scene turns off a lot of people, but that's too because all of the film - all of it - is interesting with Rebecca DeMornay excelling at a vengeful, psychotic killer nanny. This "nanny" does about everything you could do to ruin a family. Yes, she's the nanny from Hell.
I always thought Annabella Sciorra had an interesting face with a knockout smile, at least back in late '80s, early '90s, so I enjoy watching her. Here, she plays a good woman who is married to a good man (Matt McCoy) - wow, there's an oddity in modern films: a happy and faithful husband and wife!
This is an involving film. Once you are into it, you're hooked and the 100-plus minutes go by pretty fast. DeMornay is so effective in her role you just can't wait to see her exposed for who she is and justice done to her.
I did think Sciorra's character would have needed more to go on to come to the right conclusion near the end, but, usually every film has some question marks regarding credibility. The violent, ending scene is very suspenseful and well- done.