The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Name: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: January 10, 1992
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Annabella Sciorra, Ernie Hudson, John de Lancie, Julianne Moore, Justin Zaremby

1992

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution | Release Date: January 10, 1992 | R

Starring: Annabella Sciorra, Ernie Hudson, John de Lancie, Julianne Moore, Justin Zaremby, Kevin Skousen, Madeline Zima, Matt McCoy, Mitchell Laurance, Rebecca De Mornay

Summary: 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

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jonathan Rosenbaum

A knockout thriller that succeeds brilliantly at just about everything Scorsese's Cape Fear didn't. Read full review

Empire Barry McIlhenney

A unexpected pleasure to watch, disturbing for new parents, slightly silly but ever so enjoyable. Read full review

Michael Upchurch

But while the message of Amanda Silver's screenplay may be unpalatable to some, this nanny-from-hell thriller is so artfully paced and performed that there's little resisting it. Read full review

Jay Scott

Suspense picture veteran Curtis Hanson (he directed The Bedroom Window and Bad Influence and wrote The Silent Partner) disguises the contrivances with energy and admirable performances, and the audience squeals and cheers on cue. [13 Jan 1992]

Carrie Rickey

Unusually gripping.

Rita Kempley

This anti-feminist parable is both a labor and a pain. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

Cradle settles for saying ''boo'' when it could have said a lot more about parental fears. [10 Jan 1992, p.4D]

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User Reviews

Panchogul

Apr 11, 2023

Un muy buen thriller con una historia sencilla pero efectiva, lo malo es que no ha envejecido bien y actualmente parece más una película de tv dominguera que el éxito de taquilla que fue en su época.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

timone

Dec 1, 2021

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is an psychological thriller about a psychopathic nanny named Peyton who wants to kill Claire and mainly steal her family. In the beginning Claire has been sexually molested by the doctor named Dr. Mott and when the news is on about what happened, Dr. MottThe Hand That Rocks The Cradle is an psychological thriller about a psychopathic nanny named Peyton who wants to kill Claire and mainly steal her family. In the beginning Claire has been sexually molested by the doctor named Dr. Mott and when the news is on about what happened, Dr. Mott commit suicide. Now Peyton swears vengeance after losing her baby and the chill is on. Ernie Hudson is in this as Soloman, many of people knew in Ghostbusters, even Julianne Moore. The film is directed by Curtis Hanson who sadly passed away. This film gave me chills when something is about to happen and you can feel it when you're about to watch it. You can certainly feel the creepiness through the whole film when the villain is plotting something devious. Yeah, it's an enjoyable film just for the creepiness and the chills.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

HellHoleHorror

Feb 15, 2022

This really was a thrilling film. It was very well acted indeed and this contributed to the overall tone of foreboding and fear. The film was effective in generating a story and setting up an excellent finale. There wasn't much violence or killing but that is not the point of this film. ItThis really was a thrilling film. It was very well acted indeed and this contributed to the overall tone of foreboding and fear. The film was effective in generating a story and setting up an excellent finale. There wasn't much violence or killing but that is not the point of this film. It was meant to be a scary film for anyone with children or for anyone who can empathise with the situation of letting someone into your life so personally and that they have far more control over you than you would like to think. The problem with some parts was that the happy family felt unrealistic and forced but the writing and acting were incredible so that was soon forgotten in the heat of the moment.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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