The Hand That Rocks the Cradle made waves in 1992, blending domestic drama with psychological horror to become one of the decade’s most chilling thrillers.
Starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay and Matt McCoy, the film gripped audiences with its tense portrayal of trust and betrayal within the home.
Over 30 years later, its legacy lives on with Hulu’s 2025 remake, featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe.
As for the original cast, their lives and careers have taken some fascinating turns since the film’s release.
Rebecca De Mornay as Peyton Flanders
Hulu; Daniele Venturelli/Getty
Rebecca De Mornay played Peyton Flanders, the Bartel family’s calculating nanny.
Apart from Hand That Rocks the Cradle, the 66-year-old is known for her breakout role in Risky Business (1983) opposite Tom Cruise, Runaway Train (1985) and The Trip to Bountiful (1985).
With nearly 60 film credits to her name, De Mornay was recently featured in Peter Five Eight (2024), Saint Clare (2024) and in a few episodes of the show, NCIS.
The actress was previously married to Bruce Wagner from 1986 to 1990. She welcomed two daughters with her former partner, Patrick O’Neal. The pair were together for seven years before splitting in 2002.
Annabella Sciorra as Claire Bartel
Hulu; Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty
Annabella Sciorra portrayed Claire Bartel, the wife whose family life is disrupted by a vengeful nanny.
The 65-year-old has received acclaim for roles such as Gloria Trillo on The Sopranos, earning her an Emmy nomination in 2001. She also earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination early in her career for her performance in True Love (1998).
She starred on the stage in Broadway’s 2011 show, The Motherf—– with the Hat, and has been gracing the small screen as Joanne Manfredi in Tulsa King since 2022.
Sciorra was married to Joe Petruzzi from 1989 to 1993.
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Madeline Zima as Emma Bartel
Hulu; Michael Tullberg/Getty
Madeline Zima played Emma Bartel, the young daughter whose life becomes part of the thriller’s tension.
Beyond the Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Zima was known as Grace Sheffield on The Nanny and later starred on series like Californication, Heroes and Twin Peaks.
In 2018, Zima made her writing and directorial debut with Warm Human Magic, showing her expansion into behind-the-camera roles.
More recently, she was featured in the film Subservience, which starred Megan Fox and Michele Morrone. At just 40, Zima already has nearly 90 credits under her belt.
Matt McCoy as Michael Bartel
Hulu; Mike Pont/FilmMagic
Matt McCoy played Michael Bartel, the husband of Claire and father to Emma in the film.
Outside The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, the actor has had roles in TV series like Silicon Valley (2014), Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018) and The Mosquito Coast (2022), among many others, with nearly 120 acting credits.
The actor married Mary McCoy in 1985, and they have three children. In general, he tends to keep his personal life private.
Ernie Hudson as Solomon
Hulu; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Ernie Hudson portrayed Solomon, a friend and employee of the Bartel household whose loyalty proves important.
The 79-year-old is perhaps best known for his role as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise and as Warden Leo Glynn on Oz. He was honored with the Career Achievement Award at the Toronto Black Film Festival in 2025.
He has starred in The Family Business since 2018 and also appeared on Quantum Leap from 2022 to 2024.
The actor was first married to Jeannie Moore from 1963 to 1976. After their split, he found love again with his current wife, Linda Kingsberg, to whom he has been married for several decades. He has four children – two from each marriage.
Nearly 40 years after tying the knot with Kingsberg, Hudson opened up to PEOPLE in 2024 about their successful relationship.
“I love her for who she is and not who I want her or think she should be,” he shared. “So I just trust her to be herself and if she’s happy, then I’m good.”
Hudson was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2011 after being successfully treated for prostate cancer back in 1998.
Julianne Moore as Marlene Craven
Hulu; Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty
Julianne Moore appears in the film as Marlene Craven, a friend of the Bartel family.
The 64-year-old has earned major awards, including Golden Globes for Game Change (2013) and Still Alice (2015), an Academy Award for Still Alice, as well as two Emmys and two SAG Awards.
With over 150 acting credits to her name, Moore remains one of the most respected actresses of her generation. Her other stellar performances include The Fugitive (1993), Jurassic Park (1993), Safe (1995), Magnolia (1999) and The End of the Affair (1999).
When she’s not working, the iconic actress told PEOPLE in an exclusive September 2025 interview that her ideal day includes yoga and family time.
“I like a little of everything,” Moore said. “A perfect day is not having to get up too early and drink my coffee, and read the news and answer my emails.”
Moore has been married to director Bart Freundlich for over two decades. The pair shares two children: Caleb and Liv. The actress was previously married to John Gould Rubin from 1986 to 1995.
