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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

R  |   |  Drama, Thriller  |  10 January 1992 (USA)
6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 27,728 users  
Reviews: 108 user | 33 critic

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.

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Title: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) on IMDb 6.5/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Mitchell Laurance ...
Justin Zaremby ...
Eric Melander ...
Jennifer Melander ...
Ashley Melander ...
Cliff Lenz ...
Seattle Today Host
Penny LeGate ...
Seattle Today Host
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Storyline

Peyton Flanders 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, and blamed it on Claire (the mother). Claire suspects nothing, having never met Peyton before. Written by Rob Hartill

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Their innocence is her opportunity. Their trust is her weapon. And their destruction, her triumph. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror, violence, a scene of sexual molestation, and for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 January 1992 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La mano que mece la cuna  »

Box Office

Budget:

$11,700,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$88,036,683 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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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. See more »

Goofs

When Michael goes downstairs because he hears opera music playing in Peyton's room, the indicator lights for the alarm and PM time on the clock radio change from two lights to one and back again. See more »

Quotes

Solomon: I won't let you hurt them!
See more »

Crazy Credits

As the end credits roll, we see the Bartel residence. See more »


Soundtracks

SAY IT (OVER AND OVER AGAIN)
Composed by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh
Performed by The John Coltrane Quartet
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »

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User Reviews

 
An entertaining and suspenseful drama
26 June 2005 | by (Virginia) – See all my reviews

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.


15 of 23 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
The wet kitchen scene b/t Peyton and Michael. crystalmora1121
Solomon, a black man, is nothing but a mockery tmarks106
Things I Learned from 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle' Cello1949-2
Solomon- Great Protrayal or most offensive character of all time? frankasu03
When claire punches peyton! crystalmora1121
Why did they need a nanny? haydeecm
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