Rebecca De Mornay stars as a nanny with an evil agenda in this psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL). When her new obstetrician Dr. Mott (John DeLancie), touches Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra) inappropriately during an exam, Claire reports him. The scandal ultimately causes Dr. Mott's suicide and his wife's miscarriage. Determined to have both a child and revenge, Mrs. Mott (De Mornay), now going by the name Peyton Flanders, poses as the perfect nanny and is hired by Claire and her husband, Michael (Matt McCoy), to care for their young daughter, Emma (Madeline Zima), and infant son. Seemingly sweet and helpful, Peyton slowly infiltrates the family's world. Once she has gained their trust, she begins to wreak havoc in their lives. Claire begins to doubt her husband's fidelity, her abilities as a mother, and virtually every other aspect of her life--including her sanity--as Peyton deliberately tries to ruin her life and replace her as a wife and mother. De Mornay is a delicious villain--all sugar and spice in front of the family but positively venomous when plotting and executing her revenge. Director Hanson crafts his thriller with great skill and attention to character, making this a must-see.
A seemingly perfect nanny is hired by a family who doesn't realize that her husband was the mother's gynecologist who killed himself after being accused of molesting her. Now this nanny wants a family of her own--after a healthy helping of revenge.
Theatrical release: January 10, 1992.
Filmed in Issaquah, Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington.
The film features an early screen appearance by Julianne Moore.
Debut screenwriter Amanda Silver is the granddaughter of the late screenwriter Sidney Buchman.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Dolby Surround - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Stars
Rebecca De Mornay: American Actress
Annabella Sciorra: American Actress
Matt McCoy: American Supporting Actor
Ernie Hudson: American actor, GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)
Julianne Moore: Actress, THE HOURS, FAR FROM HEAVEN, BOOGIE NIGHTS
Madeline Zima: Actor, CALIFORNICATION
John DeLancie: Actor/"Deep Red"
Director
Curtis Hanson: Oscar-winning, director, screenwriter, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
Producer
David Madden: Director/ Producer, ODD COUPLE 2, SAVE THE LAST DANCE
Screenwriter
Amanda Silver: Screenwriter, "The Relic"
Composer
Graeme Revell: Score composer
Executive Producer
Rick Jaffa: Screenwriter, "The Relic"
Executive Producer
Robert W. Cort: American Producer
Executive Producer
Ted Field: Film producer
Director of Photography
Robert Elswit: Director of Photography, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005)
Review 1:
"...Rebecca DeMornay's performance is so fiercely felt that she makes you sympathize with the beast..."
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
p.F1 01/10/1992
Review 2:
"...A terrific cast...De Mornay's Peyton is a deranged dynamo; it's a crackerjack performance..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.88 02/06/1992
Review 3:
"...THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE comes on like the FATAL ATTRACTION of child care..."
Source: USA Today
p.4D 01/10/1992