If you are in the mood for a domestic thriller with a compelling hero and an equally menacing foe, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle will do the trick. You might know where the story is headed from the moment it starts, and you will definitely roll your eyes at some of the characters’ stupidity, but overall the film stays engaging and tense through its 105-minute runtime.
A remake of a 1992 surprise hit, one that helped codify many of the genre traits seen in films like Fatal Attraction and Pacific Heights, this new version, released straight to streaming, stays true to its roots, focusing on atmosphere and performance instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. What keeps it engaging is the push and pull between Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe, matched by Michelle Garza Cervera’s confident direction, keeping this familiar story gripping throughout.
Caitlyn Morales, played by the always captivating Mary Elizabeth Winstead, is an ex-lawyer who finds a much-needed breath in her life when she meets Polly, a young woman struggling to make ends meet in Los Angeles, and hires her as a nanny to help with her two daughters. Despite a supportive husband, Caitlyn truly needed the extra help, and she soon connects with Polly, who feels like a real person compared to the other mothers she has been interacting with at school. When Polly’s situation worsens, Caitlyn offers her a place to live, but as Polly grows increasingly close to the family, and as Caitlyn’s younger daughter starts listening more to the babysitter than to her own mother, Caitlyn begins to suspect that Polly’s too perfect persona might not be as genuine as it seemed.
From the original film to Orphan (2009), we have seen these kinds of stories play out before, but to the film’s credit, it knows exactly what it is and never tries to pass itself off as something different. As a welcome change of pace, our protagonist catches on sooner than usual and spends much of the film trying to make Polly leave. The film also finds a good balance with a husband who is sympathetic yet has no reason to doubt Polly (until a clever firework incident) and gives Caitlyn a friend who trusts her. Unfortunately, instead of using this setup to elevate the conflict and truly match Caitlyn’s instincts, the story relies on characters making foolish decisions, particularly one unbelievable action from that same friend.
Even so, the film moves briskly through these lapses in logic, remaining engrossing as it builds a chess-like tension between the two women. The match up between Winstead and Monroe (Longlegs) is the film’s strongest asset, both actresses delivering intense, charismatic performances. The best moments are simply the two watching and probing each other’s every move, testing how far they can go.
Mexican director Michelle Garza Cervera, making her leap to English language filmmaking after strong acclaim for her horror work in Huesera: The Bone Woman, brings some sharp ideas to the table. She creates tension through small details, like a scene of Caitlyn cutting chicken, made nerve wracking through editing and sound, and makes great use of mirrors and reflections to create suspense. Even the film’s most frustrating sequence (the one with the friend) manages to keep us at the edge of our seats. What does not work as well is the score. Overbearing and repetitive, it leans on whispers and sharp dissonant tones that become distracting and crash with the rest of the film more undemanding tone. Overly serious, it feels like the music is scoring a demonic possession, and although it would have been interesting seeing the characters go to such extent, that is not the film we are watching.
The film ends on a rushed note, with a late revelation that, although very well acted by both actresses, does not land with the desired impact. There are attempts at making a few modern points, such as the husband mentioning that he is Mexican at one point, but these rarely leave an impression. And while it is refreshing to see this kind of thriller where the protagonist begins to suspect earlier, the story never truly builds from there. Still, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle remains engaging for what it is. It holds your attention and delivers enough tension to make it a worthwhile watch.