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The Rewatchables ·

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

year 1992decade 90sdirector Curtis Hansongenre Thriller
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Joanna Robinsonproducer Craig Horlbeck theme From Hell Month
All 23 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:10:48

Peyton is provocatively defended as wife material

Peyton is called plausible wife material because she is natural with children, prompting pushback.

The remake and other character-centered takes are debated.

The film

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

Directed by Curtis Hanson · Thriller

110 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Annabella Sciorra Claire Bartel
Rebecca De Mornay Mrs. Mott
Matt McCoy Michael Bartel
Ernie Hudson Solomon
Julianne Moore Marlene Craven
Madeline Zima Emma Bartel
John de Lancie Dr. Victor Mott
Kevin Skousen Marty Craven
Eric Melander Baby Joey
Jennifer Melander Baby Joey
Ashley Melander Baby Joey

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

30:24

Most Rewatchable Scene

Marlene’s greenhouse death; Peyton’s cruelty to Solomon

Marlene’s greenhouse death; Peyton’s cruelty to Solomon

In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:24Read transcript
  • Dr. Mott’s examination is discussed as the scene where the movie fully begins, but the speaker explicitly would not make it a finalist. — Bill Simmons
  • Peyton meeting Claire and Solomon and being hired without references is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Peyton’s secret 3 a.m. breastfeeding is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Marlene and Michael’s double date, including their smoking and the title quotation, is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The park sequence, including the baby-eyes remark and Peyton twisting the bully’s arm, is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The disappearing FedEx envelope and the family’s failure to deliver it themselves are nominated and criticized.
  • Peyton destroying the envelope and banging objects in the bathroom stall is nominated as one freakout.
  • Peyton later trying to break through a door is nominated as her second freakout.
  • Peyton humiliating and slapping Solomon is nominated and later becomes one final choice.
  • Marlene and Michael’s smoking meeting to plan the party is nominated, with their attraction debated.
  • Claire confronting Michael while the surprise party waits in the next room is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Peyton preparing the greenhouse murder while eating a green apple and emptying inhalers is nominated. — Joanna Robinson
  • Claire punching Peyton into the dining-room table is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The final attic fight is nominated.
  • Marlene’s greenhouse death is selected by one participant, though the glass mechanics are disputed.
  • Peyton’s cruelty to Solomon is selected by another participant. — Bill Simmons
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52:29

What’s Aged the Best?

Evil-nanny stories, Rebecca de Mornay, the Seattle setting, and Marlene’s role in the plot

Evil-nanny stories, Rebecca de Mornay, the Seattle setting, and Marlene’s role in the plot

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:29Read transcript
  • The evil-nanny premise is said to have aged well. — Bill Simmons
  • Seattle’s cinematic use, de Mornay’s performance, and Marlene’s meaningful role are praised.
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56:56

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The house and Claire dealing with Peyton

The house and Claire dealing with Peyton

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:56Read transcript
  • The house and Claire dealing with Peyton are discussed in the Great Shot Gordo block.
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59:24

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The male supporting performances draw disagreement, with Matt McCoy receiving the strongest criticism.

The male supporting performances draw disagreement, with Matt McCoy receiving the strongest criticism.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:24Read transcript
  • Marty Craven is proposed for the weak-link award and receives a co-sign.
  • Matt McCoy is criticized as a television actor, with objections and alternate Baldwin casting jokes preserved.
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1:03:33

What’s Aged the Worst?

The Solomon characterization, sunny Seattle, missing reference checks, and period real-estate assumptions

The Solomon characterization, sunny Seattle, missing reference checks, and period real-estate assumptions

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:33Read transcript
  • Solomon’s portrayal and the movie’s unusually sunny Seattle are said to have aged poorly.
  • The lack of nanny references and now-unrealistic Seattle housing economics are additional choices.
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1:09:36

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Marty Craven; Ernie Hudson’s dialogue (blamed on the writing)

Marty Craven; Ernie Hudson’s dialogue (blamed on the writing)

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:36Read transcript
  • Marty is the first overacting pick; Ernie Hudson is also named, with repeated qualification that the role caused it.
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1:10:48

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Peyton is provocatively defended as wife material; other takes concern the remake and character behavior.

Peyton is provocatively defended as wife material; other takes concern the remake and character behavior.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:48Read transcript
  • Peyton is called plausible wife material because she is natural with children, prompting pushback.
  • The remake and other character-centered takes are debated.
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1:16:30

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

John de Lancie

John de Lancie

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:30Read transcript
  • John Delancey is selected in the transcript. — Bill Simmons
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1:22:55

Apex Mountain

No affirmative selection

No affirmative selection

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:55Read transcript
  • Risky Business is preferred as de Mornay’s personal apex, though this performance is debated. — Bill Simmons
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1:26:00

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:00Read transcript
  • The title is called memorable and correct for the movie. — Bill Simmons
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1:34:04

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A Dr. Mott prequel

A Dr. Mott prequel

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:04Read transcript
  • The discussion notes that several remake formats already exist and proposes Dr. Mott material as a prequel direction.
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1:35:20

Just One Oscar

Rebecca de Mornay

Rebecca de Mornay

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:35:20Read transcript
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1:38:45

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Vet the nanny, avoid giving an attractive stranger power in the household, and stay out of greenhouses.

Vet the nanny, avoid giving an attractive stranger power in the household, and stay out of greenhouses.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:45Read transcript
  • Do not hire an attractive nanny or give an attractive stranger power inside the household. — Bill Simmons
  • Check references and never enter a greenhouse are separate lessons.
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1:39:54

Who Won the Movie?

Rebecca de Mornay

Rebecca de Mornay

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:54Read transcript
Podcast choices
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