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

5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

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
Kevin Skousen	...	Marty Craven
Mitchell Laurance	...	Lawyer
Justin Zaremby	...	Roth, the Schoolyard Bully
Eric Melander	...	Joey 'Joe' Bartel
Jennifer Melander	...	Joey 'Joe' Bartel
Ashley Melander	...	Joey 'Joe' Bartel
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:

sexual assault | gynecologist | female nudity | lifting a female into the air | fired from the job | 

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Taglines:

Behind a beautiful face, beneath a dangerous smile, lies a rage that can't be stopped.

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

La mano que mece la cuna

Filming Locations:

810 N. Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,700,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a draft of the script, Emma is the one caught in the greenhouse trap. However, she survives. Peyton actively kills Marlene by sabotaging her car, causing it to blow up when Marlene lights a cigarette.

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Goofs

The asthma medicine should be taken in another way, with closed lips breathing deeply.

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Quotes

Marlene 'Marl' Craven: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Spoofed in Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017)

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Soundtracks

MY GALLANT CREW GOOD MORNING
from "H.M.S. Pinafore"
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

Eerily rings true

When people see horror movies that really effect them, they lock themselves away. Now someone can pick the lock. This is a fairly good movie that really hits home. I admit it is extremely similar to "Fatal Attraction" but I like this movie better. This time it seems Peyton is a little more evil than Alex and she has a better motive. Peyton is a nanny, she is to take care of Emily and Joe, she has different plans in mind. The acting is pretty good, the characters are well developed and it is a nice, cozy little horror you care rely on when nothing is on TV. I have to say in a way, it reminds me of "Rosemary's Baby". This time though, it is the one who rocks the cradle that is corrupt.