Boring

Beautiful, moving film.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

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 movie is, perhaps, one of the most famous thriller of the eighties. It starts well, with a babysitter full of lousy intentions integrating into the bosom of a family she intends to destroy slowly, like a snake that suffocates its prey before killing. The problem is the director (Curtis Hanson) and the screenwriter weren't able to properly exploit the potential inherent in such an issue. There is so much that could be better and more intense! But, instead of a more fearless approach, they preferred to bet on usual thriller clichés and the result is obvious: the film has quality and very good scenes but its generally predictable and warm, never getting to fully fulfill our expectations. The ending is exaggerated and a bit out of place, when compared to the film itself.Rebecca De Mornay is one of the reasons to give this film a chance: the actress truly strives and manages to build a character that perfectly balances purest cruelty with the most angelic appearance we could imagine. She looks like a saint, but she's capable of things that would make the Devil laugh with satisfaction, and that duality makes her very appealing and sinister. Annabella Sciorra is the typical girl in distress and her character seems not to have been so elaborate or to have been thought of as the antithesis of De Mornay's character. I think this strategy didn't work out very well, as Sciorra's character is too flat and empty. Ernie Hudson looks great but Julianne Moore and Matt McCoy have small characters and they haven't had a chance to show real talent.

I was sad to hear of the recent death of Curtis Hanson at 71, and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle rocks big time. Rebecca De Mornay was robbed in not getting an Oscar nomination. Her menacing nature without saying a word was captivating, and it's hard to imagine any other actress playing the babysitter.Good to see Matt McCoy move on from Police Academy to be the leading man in The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. The scene where Rebecca's character almost seduces Matt's character was tense, and I do wonder if the DVD has a deleted scene where he did succumb to her wiles, and who knows what.Annabella Sciorra also was a standout in this, as was Ernie Hudson, who was my favorite Ghostbuster by the way.

I give this a 10 for sure. Cast is brilliant and script works for them all. My favorite actress Julianne Moore only a supportive role. Still loved her in this. Rebecca Mornay is terrific in this. She plays the role with such evil and always with this innocent look on her face. You love to hate her. Annabella Sciorra and Matt McCoy as the unsuspecting victims were well cast with the right touch of simplicity needed. Ernie Hudson was brilliant as the slow minded handyman. Also special mention should go to the child victim Madeline Zima who did a wonderful acting job. Kudos to the director and screenwriter. This is one of the best I've seen in a long time. But this is Mornay's film all the way. She is brilliant. I usually hate the female villains, but this time I loved her performance from start to finish. A must see for all viewers. It's on FLIX now. Was on LMN.