‘The Hand That Rocks The Cradle’ Is A Creepy & Chilling Adaptation, Making It Fresh & Shocking!

 

By Evan L. Jackson

    I have never seen the original of “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” of the 90’s but it has always been begging to be remade and eventual. Not because it wasn’t good but because its subject matter is fascinating. And a 21st century take on it would be cool to see. With this newest adaptation Maika Monroe portrays the wolf in sheep’s clothing babysitter who terrorizes the family of Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character. Hulu has out done it’s self with this take of a classic! Maika Monroe’s performance is slick and carefully crafted to trust her more from the parent’s looking for childcare perspective but has us screaming “you’re in danger!” From the audience’s vantage point. Maika is our newly minted Scream Queen, but wait! She’s not the one screaming- she’s actually the one terrifying us. Director Michelle Garza Cervera utilizes space brilliantly, sliding Maika Monroe in so coolly and with ease, yet like a fox in a hen house - all chaos! This fresh take is eerie and it doesn’t undercut itself or strays from the original premise of the  book it’s based off of. 

   Was Maika Monroe just born to play these roles?! First in Longlegs, the breakout Neon studio backed horror hit in 2024, and now this. This is alluring and inviting energy from how she portrays this character, almost baiting everyone around her to play in her twisted mind games. What’s impressive is the eye acting and coy looks that pierce the screen as if she’s looking at you. Yea, you! 

   As the film progresses some of the shots become more narrow and narrower. With close ups hinting at an intensified ending. That’s all thanks to the director Michelle Garza Cervera. Playing on our concept of depth perception she smartly knows when to hold the audience’s attention through the lens. How Michelle manipulates the color grain is fascinating. It lulls you into a sleepy and seedy state of mind, a thriller tinged film. A thoroughly well done film directed by her who plays on all the senses.

   What makes this adaptation fresh is also the bizzare lengths Maika Monroe’s character goes. The ultimate revenge film crescendos at a breaking point. A realization that the torment caused by Polly/Rebecca was comeuppance for what Caityln had done to her in the past. As it's revealed Caityln was the then babysitter who fatally caused the end of Rebecca's family. What’s convincing of this film is Mary’s character. It almost feels she doesn’t mind being gaslit, like she wants to play into this game or at the least believe her babysitter is good. And these are just a string of mishaps.