The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992)

Memorable, crazy movie

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I have seen this film many times now and know exactly what is gonna happen. But it still creeps me out.The suspense is so terrifyingly good because the tension is built up very slowly.Many movies have been made wherein an ideal family gets threatened by outside forces. But "The Hand that rocks the Cradle" is more evil because the harm comes from inside the family: the trusted blonde and blue eyed babysitter. I give nothing away relating to the plot, because all of this is explained in the very opening of the movie: the babysitter has an evil agenda. The only question is: will she succeed or fail in destroying this ideal family? This movie is the ultimate popcorn movie. One cliche on top of the other, but it is done so excellent that it becomes one of the best suspense movies of the entire nineties, comparable to "Fatal Atraction". That movie got all the awards but The Hand that rocks the Cradle is equally thrilling but got none. It was however a big box office hit back then. I still have got the shivers writing about it. And I am not easily shaken. Seen many thrilling movies and didnt blink an eye, but "The Hand that rocks the Cradle" is special because it uses everyday people we think we can trust as our hidden enemies! Because everything starts out so peachy and lovely you easily fall into the trap that you let your guard down. And then the upcoming evil hits you harder, because your heart got softened by earlier scenes with lovely playing children, suddenly followed by hideous manipulative frenzy from the babysitter. Great suspense stuff. This movie will creep up on you, but be reassured, this movie will still make you feel good! But dont watch it at night lol...

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. 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.

I'd be wanting to see this film for some time, and knowing that Curtis Hanson was directing, I was anticipating a very solid ride.Sadly, I was more than a little disappointed with the outcome.Much of the problem of this film lies with the script, I believe. For me, The Hand That Rocks The Cradle represents the absolute epitome of formula-driven filmmaking.While Fatal Attraction, an earlier example of the 'person from hell' thriller subgenre is tightly-structured, it nevertheless managed to be more than just a formula film, by offering nuanced portrayals of protagonist & antagonist. Though terrifying, Glenn Close's Alex was, for my money, still a rather conflict and even sympathetic character through much of the story, as she fights a losing battle against her growing obsession. It elevated the material and made the villain not simply one-dimensional.In this film, however, I found it very hard to feel any sympathy at all for Peyton. Her double losses of child and husband at the beginning of the film were presumably anticipated to generate a level of sympathy for the character, but it was not the case for me. As soon as she enters as Peyton, she demonstrates a single-minded intent and maliciousness not out of step with a moustache-twirling bond villain.To some extent, characters in a film will always function in service of the plot, but I think the secret of good writing is to make it less obvious - that each character's choices feel organic to their character and not simply existing to push the plot forward piece by piece - unless of course you're making a spoof or parody.I read in one review that the screenwriter wrote this script as her thesis during film school, and it very much feels like a student of films like Fatal Attraction and others doing a carefully-planned paint by numbers incarnation of the psycho person thriller.

There are some movies which are essentially 'made' by one star. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is a prime casing point; Rebecca De Mornay, as the 'nanny from hell' "Peyton Flanders", is chilling, seductive, and simply stunning, as she manipulates her way through the Bartel household, as well as us, the audience.I think the the film is great for testing our allegiance to the family themselves; even though we constantly feel anxious for their safety, and are aligned as to the tragedies that befall them, for which we can only sit back and look on in horror, there's also an underlying morbid desire to see "Peyton" win, which is exemplified by De Mornay's bewitchingly sultry performance, and her unwavering determination to get revenge.As for the rest of the essentially B-list cast, there's winning performances all round, with special mention to Ernie Hudson as the family's intellectually disabled handyman, who displays great warmth and emotional depth to his role, and to the Bartel family (Annabella Sciorra, Matt McCoy, Madeline Zima) themselves; each actor delivering a compellingly real profoundness to their individual roles, which goes a long way in making them much more compassionate, and increasing our allegiance with them. Indeed, it's that allegiance to the family which helps in papering over any predictability or cheesiness in the film, as despite our initial morbid desire to see "Peyton" win, it's that sympathetic but not overtly sentimental view of the Bartels which means, in this movie at least, that the audience also naturally want the typical happy ending that we've come to expect from Hollywood.It's Hollywood's loss that they've never fully tapped into De Mornay's clear talent and charisma though! One hopes that her career will be revived in the future. She sure does make an impact here, and her performance etches itself into the memory.Going along at a good steady pace, which builds to an exciting climax, director Cliff Hanson (The River Edge, L.A Confidential, 8 Mile) has crafted yet another witty, thrilling, and inspired piece, which re-invents the whole 'never let strangers into your house' premise with real bite, so if it's a tense, unnerving, but very fun late-night thriller you're looking for, look no further!