The Hand That Rocks The Cradle – Movie Review | Hulu (3/5)

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE on Hulu is a remake (or new take, if you will) of the 1992 classic thriller. This time, Maika Monroe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star, and the result is yet another strong psychological thriller. Read our full The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (2025) movie review here!

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE is a new Hulu thriller mystery with a very familiar title, as it’s the remake of the 1992 iconic thriller starring Rebecca De Mornay and Annabella Sciorra. This 2025 take on the story is more of a reimagining as several elements have been changed.

However, the core premise remains the same, which is possibly the best kind of remake – in my book, anyway. I never mind a good remake, but I still prefer that there’s a reason beyond just a fresher look and a new cast. This new psychological thriller certainly delivers on that premise.

Continue reading our The Hand That Rocks The Cradle movie review below. Find it on Hulu/Disney+ from October 22, 2025.

The struggles of motherhood in the modern world

When we first meet Caitlyn Morales (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), she’s very pregnant but also still working. In fact, she goes straight from work into labor, and this seems to be typical of her. Always on the move, and while she wants kids and loves her children, she struggles with combining family and career.

Her husband, Miguel (Raúl Castillo), tries to help as much as he can. However, Caitlyn is also a very independent soul who wants to succeed at whatever she does, so it’s a bit of a struggle. That’s why he is all for it when Caitlyn suggests that they take in a nanny.

Enter Polly Murphy (Maika Monroe), who clearly has a great handle on the kids and also seamlessly fits into the household. Everything seems to be looking up, but Caitlyn can’t help but feel something is off.

She’s right, of course, as anyone familiar with the 1992 original will know. And we do also see the darker side of Polly early on. However, figuring out how it’s all connected will take some time, and getting there is one bumpy ride.

Casting the 2025 remake

The original 1992 movie went on to become iconic roles for its core cast. Or, well, mostly for its two female stars in the form of Rebecca De Mornay and Annabella Sciorra. The same should be the case for this 2025 remake (or, again, reimagining is a better word), and genre fans will find familiar faces in the lead roles.

We have Mary Elizabeth Winstead from 10 Cloverfield Lane and Kate as Caitlyn Morales. She’s the mother who inadvertently invites in someone who will make her life a nightmare. In the role made famous by Rebecca De Mornay, we have one of our newer final girls, Maika Monroe, as Polly Murphy.

Horror fans will recognize Maika Monroe from the genre movies like the mega-hit It Follows, Tau, Villains, and Watcher. Most recently, she starred in Oz Perkins‘ serial killer movie Longlegs (2024).

Both Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe deliver strong performances in this 2025 The Hand That Rocks The Cradle remake, but the former made the biggest impact on me. Probably because she’s the one we stay with and follow the most – and is the most relatable.

For me, anyway. Still, both are amazing, as is the rest of the cast.

In key supporting roles, we see Raúl Castillo (Task) as Miguel Morales, Caitlyn’s husband, and Martin Starr (There’s Something in the Barn) as Caitlyn’s best friend, Stewart.

One of the more impressive performances also comes from one of the youngest cast members. Mileiah Vega absolutely shines as Emma Morales, Caitlyn and Miguel’s eldest daughter. I hope to see her in future genre movies!

Watch The Hand That Rocks The Cradle on Hulu

Michelle Garza Cervera is the director of this 2025 take on The Hand That Rocks The Cradle. We’ve already reviewed a movie by Michelle Garza Cervera, and I have been eagerly awaiting her next movie, which turned out to be this one.

Her previous movie was Huesera: The Bone Woman, which I highly recommend you check out as well. It’s more of a horror-drama and definitely left a huge impact on me. Both movies revolve around women and motherhood, but in extremely different ways.

Micah Bloomberg (creator of Homecoming) wrote the screenplay for this 2025 version, and I commend the choices all around. I loved the way the core story of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle from the 1992 movie has been reimagined for this 2025 version. It makes for an entirely new story while retaining its main driver for the characters.

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle is on Hulu (Disney+ internationally) from October 22, 2025.

Details

Director: Michelle Garza Cervera
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Maika Monroe, Mileiah Vega, Raúl Castillo, Martin Starr, Riki Lindhome, Shannon Cochran