The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
1992 film by Curtis Hanson · Released January 10, 1992
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a 1992 American psychological thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson, written by Amanda Silver, and starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson, Julianne Moore, and Madeline Zima. The plot follows the pregnant wife of a Seattle obstetrician, who dies by suicide after he is accused of sexual misconduct by some of his patients. The shock leads the wife to miscarry, after which she poses as a nanny for one of her late husband's accusers and slowly begins to infiltrate the family. The film's title is taken from the 1865 poem by William Ross Wallace, and it features several musical pieces drawn from the 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance.
Cast ages at release (January 10, 1992)
- Annabella Sciorra, as Claire Bartel: 31
- Rebecca De Mornay, as Mrs: 32
- Matt McCoy, as Michael Bartel: 33
- Ernie Hudson, as Solomon: 46
- Julianne Moore, as Marlene Craven: 31
- Madeline Zima, as Emma Bartel: 6
- John de Lancie, as Dr. Victor Mott: 43