After the birth of her second child, suburban mom Caitlin Morales (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) brings a new nanny, Polly Murphy (Maika Monroe), into her home, only to discover that Polly seems less interested in being the nanny and more in taking over Caitlin’s role as mother and wife. This remake of the cult revenge thriller The Hand That Rocks The Cradle offers a modern spin on the tale. While the film does not eclipse the original, it does carve out its own unique spin. It provides two captivating performances, including an incredible villainous turn by Monroe.
Modern remakes are a bone of contention, particularly if they have nothing to say. Fortunately, that is not the case with this update. In many ways, the movie borrows the title and premise, but then crafts its own tale of revenge. Now, for those looking for a Lifetime movie of the week, this movie delivers on those promises. What this remake has apart from its original counterpart is its exploration of marriage, female identity, and motherhood. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a hardworking mother and wife who, while dealing with past traumas, is putting her best foot forward every day.
Caitlin is the emotional backbone of the story. She strives to address her mental health while unknowingly dealing with the machinations of her new nanny, who seeks to undermine her at every turn. Winstead is a force in film. She grounds the movie through a performance of a woman struggling to reconcile her past while navigating a shifting plane beneath her feet. Winstead leans into the cheesy elements of these types of movies when necessary. Still, her performance is less verbose and more devastating. She is a mother who seems to be losing her mind, despite knowing what she sees with her own eyes.
This remake injects a dose of modernism into the story, in terms of fleshing out both Caitlin and her nanny, Polly. Whereas the original firmly exists in a black-and-white parallel, this movie tends to lean more into the gray area. It portrays both the heroine and the villain in a tragic and complex manner, evoking pathos. Fans of the original might prefer a more conventional route. However, this element allows for the remake to leave its own mark rather than being a shot-for-shot, beat-for-beat copy.
Remakes often exist in the shadow of a storied original. While this may be blasphemous to fans of the original, this updated version can stand on its own, which is an impressive if not daring feat. This film dutifully takes its time to introduce us to the characters. Rather than accelerate at 100 miles per hour from the start, the characters transcend the caricatures often constructed in these types of films.
Now, that said, this movie does not play against type and expectation. Polly is secretly undermining her employer, playing into her past bouts of depression, while keeping a devastating secret that seemingly connects them both. When the movie dials into this area code, you can expect full tilt into a campy, over-the-top, revenge-crazed, twitchy-eye fest that is part and parcel for these kinds of movies. It is overzealous, it is theatrical, and it works.
At the center of this remake is the character of Polly. She is the villainous nanny orchestrating this entire affair with a twinkle and a smile. We need to discuss Maika Monroe—a stalwart player in the genre. Here we see her transform into a sly, complicated, and ultimately downright wicked villain. Her performance as Polly illustrates her versatility and all-around greatness as an actress. Having recently rewatched her in Longlegs, it’s striking to see the terrifying contrast between her portrayal of the dutiful FBI agent Lee Harker and her role as an intricate villain. Whereas some might lean into a stereotypical twirling cape movie-psychotic, here Monroe crafts a complex woman who is both tragic and monstrous.
Whereas we fans of the genre are used to seeing Monroe play the heroine, it’s a captivating turn to see her take on the heavy. She is alluring. She is doing it all with a sly remark and a cunning smirk. Monroe takes a character that might otherwise be a one-note and elevates it into a malicious and complex baddie. Give her more villainous roles, because she (pardon the phrase) — kills it! She is the MVP here and makes this remake truly worthy of our time and interest.
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle puts in a strong effort and leaves its mark as a remake that is far from pointless. The story is fresh. Sure, the finale may arrive hurriedly, but the film never forgets to be a campy revenge flick that the audience expects. The ending ties everything rather neatly, but injects a soft yet sinister element that leaves us feeling unnerved. What stands out from the crowd are the performances and the sincerity they bring. The movie is inspired by the original yet bold enough to rock the cradle without looking over its shoulder.
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is currently streaming exclusively on Hulu.
Whereas we fans of the genre are used to seeing Monroe play the heroine, it's a captivating turn to see her take on the heavy. She is alluring. She is doing it all with a sly remark and a cunning smirk. Monroe takes a character that might otherwise be a one-note and elevates it into a malicious and complex baddie.
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GVN Rating
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
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