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:

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film is taken from the poem of the same name written by William Ross Wallace. The poem praises motherhood as the primary impetus for changing the world.

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Goofs

When Peyton drops the ice cubes on the floor, she picks them up and puts them back in the freezer instead of throwing them away.

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Quotes

Peyton Flanders: [on the phone]
Peyton Flanders: Who is this?
Marlene 'Marl' Craven: Marlene Craven, you want me to spell it?

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in The Exes: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2013)

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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

An entertaining and suspenseful drama

This domestic thriller was a box-office hit despite its mid-level marquee pull and is entertaining and delivers plenty of suspense and shocks along the way. A vengeful widow who has lost her husband to a suicide and suffers a miscarriage plans to get even with the woman who caused the trouble by filing a sexual molestation suit against her husband. Rebecca de Mornay is the evil nanny who plots her revenge with relish, her satisfaction obvious as her plans begin to bear fruit. The nanny is not swayed by the innocence of the young girl or the newborn baby she is hired to care for and intends to destroy the entire family. Naturally, the parents are clueless as to what is going on until much later, while de Mornay methodically turns the household into her own domain, holding it in a grip of fear. Annabella Sciorra is the wife and mother who confronts de Mornay in the final moments. Graeme Revell contributes a nice music score.

Details

Country:

USA Japan

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