The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Reviews

After hearing some pretty good things about this flick, I was definitely eager to check it out. Indeed, it was pretty successful when it was released and it has been ever since considered as a classic thriller from the 90’s. Furthermore, since it was directed by Curtis Hanson (‘L.A. Confidential’), I was quite sure it would be at least a pretty decent thriller. Unfortunately, I thought that the whole thing was rather underwhelming. Personally, I don’t think that Rebecca De Mornay should be blamed as she gave a decent performance and she tried her best to make something from this material (eventually, this movie will probably be the one everyone will remember her for). I don’t know, I still have a hard time to understand why everybody back in the 90’s thought it was so frightening. In my opinion, it was just a rather weak thriller with a typically convoluted plot with some terrible twist(s) at the end. I know, I might be asking too much from this genre but I thought this movie was actually hardly entertaining and a major disappointment. To conclude, I thought it was pretty damned average and I don’t think it is really worth a look, even if you like the genre.

I love films with realistic villains. Heck, I love films in which an outsider destroys what is shown as the 'perfect family'. Hell, I love these films even more when that said villain is a female!

Granted, this film wasn't Oscar material but both the lead females sure gave great performances with Annabella playing the housewife who has Asthma & Rebecca De Mornay playing the twisted & calm babysitter, Peyton Flanders!

To female viewers this film is sensitive because It focuses on the worst nightmare of a new-mother: The fear that something is gonna happen to their baby and I think the whole breast-feeding thing must've shocked a great deal of female viewers around the world!

Anyways, for people who like high tension and simple settings should go for this film but those who get offended by these subjects should just stay clear!

A classic? Not particularly but nevertheless, one of the best in the thriller-drama genre!