The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025)
Director: Michelle Garza Cervera
Screenplay: Micah Bloomberg
Based on: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle by Amanda Silver
Stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Maika Monroe, Raúl Castillo, Martin Starr
Release dates: October 22, 2025
Plot: Pregnant attorney Caitlyn Morales is assigned to represent Polly Murphy, a young woman facing homelessness in a dispute with her landlord. Shortly after her first meeting with Polly, Caitlyn goes into labor and gives birth to her second daughter, Josie. The burden of having to care for both Josie and her unruly older sister, Emma, starts to get to Caitlyn. When the two women cross paths again one day, Polly asks for a job as their nanny.
Polly proves to be an ideal match for Emma and Josie, bonding with them and endearing herself to Caitlyn’s husband Miguel. However, one day, she spikes Caitlyn’s cioppino dinner, giving Caitlyn and the kids food poisoning. The family never learns of Polly’s action. They invite Polly to move into their guest house. Polly exploits this by subtly breaking Caitlyn’s rules for what her children are allowed to eat and drink.
Noticing that Caitlyn is taking medication for an undisclosed mental health issue, Polly secretly replaces it with methamphetamine pills that she carves to look identical. Over time, this causes Caitlyn to become paranoid and aggressive, and worsens her growing jealousy over Emma looking up to Polly as a mother figure. After Emma accidentally sets off fireworks Polly had given her in her bedroom, Caitlyn snaps and fires her, ignoring Miguel’s plea that it was only a mistake.
Fearing that Emma will resent her, Caitlyn tracks Polly to the run-down motel where she’s living and rehires her. Secretly, she asks her neighbor Stewart to run a background check on Polly. Caitlyn also finds a woman who had been a reference for Polly’s nanny services. She learns that she had lied and never hired Polly as a nanny; the two had met at an AA meeting where Polly had made up a story about running away from an abuser to gain her sympathy.
Stewart meets with Polly and reveals his background check results to her including having found out that her real name is Rebecca, and that she and Caitlyn (whose real name is Jennifer) were middle school classmates until Caitlyn set a fire that burned down her family’s house, killing her parents and baby sister. Caitlyn was given a new identity and a chance to start over, while Polly was sent to a series of abusive foster homes. Understanding Polly’s pain, but wanting to help his friend, Stewart asks her to try and forgive Caitlyn. Having learned that Stewart has not revealed any of this to Caitlyn, Polly beats Stewart to death with a baseball bat and steals his research.
Stewart’s wife finds him and calls Caitlyn. Realizing that Polly is responsible, she rushes home only to find her eating dinner with Miguel and her children while dressed in her clothes. The sight causes Caitlyn to fly into a rage and start tearing apart Polly’s room. Seeing Polly deliberately holding Josie in her arms, Caitlyn tries to throttle her and strikes Emma in the face when she intervenes. Miguel then kicks Caitlyn out and files domestic violence charges, resulting in her being barred from having unsupervised contact with her children.
A tearful Caitlyn shows up at Emma’s basketball game and begs Miguel for a chance to speak to her. Emma forgives her mother and gives her a portion of Stewart’s research that she found in Polly’s belongings. Seeing Polly as a child triggers a traumatic memory in Caitlyn, and she instantly realizes who Polly really is. She drives home, where Polly has taken on even more of Caitlyn’s appearance, even wearing her hair in a tight French twist, Caitlyn’s signature look. The two have a heart-to-heart in the kitchen; Caitlyn tells Polly she’s sorry for what happened but that she set the fire to escape Polly’s father, who sexually abused her as well as his own daughter. Polly is skeptical, but ultimately admits that regardless of the truth, Caitlyn robbed her of a happy childhood.
When Caitlyn tries to hug Polly, the latter stabs her in the stomach, revealing that her true plan is to take over Caitlyn’s life and raise her children as her own. A brutal fight ends with Caitlyn pushing Polly through a plate-glass window and trying to flee in her car with Josie. Polly attacks the car, distracting Caitlyn and causing her to drive into the path of an oncoming car. The impact only dazes her and Josie, but Polly is thrown a great distance and she sustains fatal injuries. Having seen what happened while walking Emma home, Miguel apologizes to Caitlyn for not believing her, and Caitlyn comforts Polly as she dies.
The film ends with Caitlyn sitting and looking deeply into a lit fire, while Emma imitates Polly’s mannerisms and repeats a story she had told Emma earlier about life in a foster home to calm Josie.
* * *
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025) | Transcript
[flames crackling]
[flames whooshing]
[baby crying]
[distant screams]
[fire roaring]
[man screaming]
[keyboard clacking]
[Caitlin] I’m sorry. Okay. Keep going.
Well, then things got really bad.
The family that I was nannying for, they had to move.
[Caitlin] And that’s what you do?
You’re in child care?
Yeah. Well, that’s what I love.
Um, I was going to school for it.
Uh, early education.
But then, you know, losing this job, uh, it’s just really hard financially.
Yeah, for sure.
But then I get this email from my landlord saying, “We’re raising your rent. Good day.”
I’m glad you came today.
You know, cases like yours are exactly why my firm does these events.
So, this is what you do?
Pick fights with landlords?
My firm handles all kinds of housing and real estate issues.
Keeping landlords honest, we do that…
We do that pro bono.
It’s like a perk.
[cell phone buzzing] Um…
So, what are you doing here?
[chuckles] What do you mean?
You’re about to pop.
Shouldn’t you be home drinking raspberry tea?
Well, that sounds very nice, but, um, I’m managing.
People do it.
[chuckles]
[door creaks] [siren wailing in distance] [man] LA Law. There she goes.
[Caitlin] Hi, Henry.
[woman] Please, Daddy.
I promise that Mama’s home. I promise.
[phone line ringing]
[Alison over phone] Hi, Caitlin.
Hey, Alison.
Um, where’s the contract? I need it.
He says he’s still proofreading.
I can call him again.
Uh…
II think we’re gonna have to pick this up later.
[breathes deeply] Oh. Is everything okay?
Uh, yeah. Um…
Yeah, I just think I’m going into labor.
Oh.
[breathes deeply] Just tell me. How are they not real?
Where are my keys?
Mom?
Earth to Mom.
Can you hold this a second?
Mom.
What, the baby animals?
Yeah.
Because they’re in a video game.
It costs money.
Why would they cost money if they’re not real?
Yeah, that’s exactly my question.
[gate creaks] Let’s make some space.
Mom, this is serious to me.
I know, honey. I know.
I know.
You’re saying it’s serious to you.
And I get it. But we need to go.
Can you get in the car?
I’m helping.
[grunts] Okay. There we go.
[vehicle approaching]
[tires screech]
What are you doing?
[woman] What are you doing?
You leave your baby in the street?
[Caitlin] You can’t just drive down here that fast.
[woman] Oh, you’re lucky that stroller didn’t damage my car.
[Caitlin] Come on.
[woman] Dumb bitch.
[engine revs]
Oh, come on.
[Miguel roars] Are we ready to do this?
[Emma] Dad.
[Caitlin] Jesus.
[Miguel] What the hell?
What happened?
[Caitlin] This woman…
She just came speeding down here.
What a fucking idiot.
[Emma] Dad.
What? If it’s true, you can say “fuck.”
[Josie fussing]
There should be a stop sign there.
Yeah, well, LA.
[Caitlin] What does that mean?
People don’t stop in LA.
Oh…
No, there should be a stop sign.
Thank you.
Okay. Tomatoes…
Okay, we’re not buying those today.
Let’s check out the apples over there.
Hmm.
Caitlin.
Polly. Yeah.
Polly. Right.
Wow. How are you?
I’m good. Yeah, I’m good.
What happened with your landlord?
Um, I sent him a letter, but he said something about, you know, the law with rent increase, that unfortunately it doesn’t apply.
Well, he’s wrong.
What you need to do is…
It’s fine.
You know, I’m-I’m getting by.
[Miguel] Got pesto.
Um, yeah, it has palm oil.
Is that bad?
Well, it’s 50% saturated fat, so…
[chuckles]
[Miguel] I thought fat was a good thing now.
It… There’s different kinds.
Can you take it back?
Sure. I just thought, for pasta, it’d…
[Josie fussing]
[Emma] Mom.
So, what’s your plan, then, as far as…
Mom? Mom.
I’m speaking, Emma, okay?
[Emma] Can we go now?
We just got here.
I’m hungry. Mom.
We’re gonna get food, okay?
Um…
If you ever needed a babysitter, even just for an afternoon to really, you know, nail the farmers’ market…
And you’re in childcare?
I am. Um…
I had mentioned it, you know, but that was a long time ago. [laughs] I remember, yeah.
Let me see if I have your number.
Okay.
[Caitlin] I mean, she’s had a rough go of it.
It’s just easier to talk to her than, like, half the moms at Emma’s school.
She’s just like an actual person.
But she has experience with kids?
Yeah. Yeah, I’ll get a reference from her.
Mom, not too short.
[Caitlin] I know. There you go.
And you said you wanted a break.
[Caitlin] I do.
I could… I could go a bit easier this time, and, um… take care of myself, like everybody’s always demanding.
Okay.
Okay.
Right.
What do you think?
[Emma] Perfect.
[exclaims softly] Gold star.
Ooh. Why, thank you.
[line ringing]
[Rosanna] Hello.
Hi, Rosanna?
Uh, yes.
Hi. My name’s Caitlin.
I… I got your number from Polly Murphy.
Oh. Hi.
Hi. Yeah.
We’re considering hiring her as a nanny and I was just curious about your experience with her.
Oh, um…
[stutters] She’s amazing.
Really became a part of our family.
That’s great to hear.
[Josie crying] Sorry. [stutters] How long did she work for you?
Gosh, a couple of years.
Uh-huh.
Okay. Wow. That’s great.
That’s a… That’s a really long time.
[shushes]
Yeah. Really wonderful with the kids.
[Josie fussing]
[gate creaking]
Hi.
So, clean go here, and then dirties straight in the dishwasher.
There’s a sterilized cycle.
Okay.
And just glass bottles.
Right. Hold on the micro plastics.
Exactly. Yes, I know we’re a lost cause, but, you know, hopefully for them.
Uh, okay. Here.
Oh, wow.
Yeah, I’ve stocked up quite a lot.
So we’ve got left to right, older to newer.
So you can just pull from the left.
And no formula?
For… Oh. No, that stuff is just sugar.
So once she has that… you know.
Got it. Yeah.
Okay.
Josie.
Josie, it’s your new nanny, Polly.
Want to say hi?
Hi.
Hi.
Mommy says no sugar.
[toy] Mommy says no sugar.
[Polly] Hi, baby.
[toy] Hi baby.
[gasps]
[pills rattle]
So, I think, um, I’m gonna go run some errands.
Great. Yeah.
Um…
We’ll be fine.
Right. [chuckles nervously]
[Josie chuckles]
Okay.
Bye.
[door closes]
♪ She talks to birds
She talks to angels ♪
♪ She talks to trees
She talks to bees ♪
♪ She don’t talk to me ♪
♪ Talks to the rainbows
and to the seas… ♪
[music fades]
[dog barking in distance]
[engine revving]
Jesus!
[scoffs]
[Miguel] Hello.
Hello.
Food’s here.
Great.
Josie’s asleep, so I’m gonna head home.
Great. Okay.
Uh, do you want dinner?
Yeah.
I mean, there’s plenty.
Please, stay.
Stay.
Okay. [chuckles softly]
[Emma] I’ll go get another plate.
[Caitlin] Here you go.
Oh, I don’t drink.
Cool. Um, my love.
Great. Thank you. Okay.
All right. This looks good.
[Miguel] Emma, you want the chicken?
Have whatever you want, just dig in.
Okay.
[indistinct conversation]
I need space!
Emma…
[door slams] You can have space, but you cannot speak to me in that…
[Emma] My God! Leave me alone!
[sighs]
Should you just give her a second?
[clicks tongue] Yeah. [clears throat]
She thinks I’m this controlling, like, scold.
It’s ’cause all the other parents are scared of their own kids.
I see that a lot.
Emma’s smart, but she is super willful.
Ever since she was a baby, if I set her down even for one second, she would just scream.
Scream.
[Polly] Sounds so hard.
Yeah, that first year was, um, was something.
[cell phone buzzing]
Hey, you know what?
Don’t let me keep you. Really.
If you need to…
Oh. No, it’s just, um… this girl.
We’ve been sort of talking.
Oh, yeah? You like her?
I’m not sure yet.
It’s, um…
It’s funny. I was dating a woman when I met Miguel.
I think I could tell that.
Really?
About me?
Yeah. You have that vibe to you.
I think this is going back.
I like it.
Do you want it?
I mean, maybe it looks better on you.
Okay.
Let’s see.
Oh, yeah.
I’m sorry. Is that weird? I…
No. No, I… I love it.
You know what?
Um, I’ll grab you some scissors.
Cut the tag.
[door closes]
[Miguel moans softly]
[kisses]
[kissing continues]
Miguel, um, can we try tonight?
Maybe? I’m just not… I’m not…
[Miguel groans]
Right now.
Okay.
[sighs softly]
I’m sorry. I’ve missed you, too, you know?
I’ve missed you, too.
It’s just Josie, and…
It’s fine.
It’s okay.
Oh, you know what, I have that, um… stop sign meeting this afternoon.
[Miguel] Mmhmm.
Could you take Emma to basketball?
I can’t. I’m meeting with the builders.
Okay.
Why don’t you ask Polly to take her?
It’s walking distance.
Oh, yeah.
Okay.
I have a surprise for you.
[gasps]
[Polly] Don’t tell.
I won’t.
Do you want some, Josie? I bet you do.
Here. [gasps] Mm.
Give her some.
It’s so much sugar.
It’s good for you.
Mm. [laughs] Did your mom let you eat sugar?
She did.
She made the best cupcakes.
But before I got too old, she had to go away.
But your dad could stay?
Nope.
The place I went to live, the only thing they had to eat was tuna fish.
[chuckles] That’s silly.
It is.
But it gets even sillier than that.
There was no mayonnaise, no lettuce, no bread even.
I had to eat the tuna out of a can, like a cat.
And when there was no more left… there was nothing left to eat.
[Emma chuckles]
[both shushing]
Whoa! Whoo!
Whee!
Whoa! [chuckles] Oh, my goodness.
Whoa. Wow.
[chuckles]
[Josie cooing]
She’s so beautiful.
She is.
[Josie cooing]
[Polly] Ready?
[alarm beeps]
[automated voice] Emergency.
There’s smoke in the kitchen.
Smoke alarm detected in the kitchen.
Okay.
[indistinct chatter on video]
What are you making?
Uh, cioppino.
It’s like a fish stew.
Huh.
Hey, I can cook.
Okay? I’m cooking. I can cook.
It’s just Stewart coming, right?
Uh, I think he’s bringing Bethany.
I mean, we could just get In-N-Out and tacos or something.
You can’t invite people over to dinner and then just get In-N-Out.
Come on.
Oh, I think this is burning.
Okay. Shit.
[Miguel] Oh, boy.
Out of my kitchen. Out.
Everybody out of my kitchen.
Okay, chapino.
Cioppino. We’re getting banished.
[Polly laughs]
[Stewart] But that’s assuming that a police presence reduces crime.
Or that it helps at all at resolving disputes.
I mean, there are studies that show the opposite.
What studies?
What?
What studies?
There are multiple.
I can’t cite one.
Okay, so say somebody broke into your house, you would, what?
Honestly, I mean, I would grab my bat before I would call the police or do anything.
Stewart.
[Stewart] I’m serious.
Obviously, the first priority would be my partner and I’s safety.
But take the cash, take the TV.
The stuff isn’t…
But, Stewart, what if they wanted your Ted Williams rookie card?
What would you do?
Well, then I would know that the person under the ski mask is you.
You bitch. [clears throat] Apologies, to everyone at the table.
Polly, I hear you guys met at one of our tenants’ rights events.
Yeah.
[Stewart] Mm.
Um…
Where is your place?
Oh, I live in Boyle Heights.
Oh, nice. Uh, why way out there?
Well, that’s what I can afford.
Oh, I get you.
[Polly] Where do you live?
Oh, Silver Lake.
Mm.
I get ya.
Anyways, I’m actually thinking about moving.
Just, LA’s so expensive.
[sighs]
You mean, like, outside of Los Angeles?
Yeah.
I just… I don’t know how long I can stay here for.
Can I be done?
Well, you’re not watching TV, if that’s what you’re after.
I can go hang with her.
Yeah.
Yeah. Okay, great. Thank you.
[Stewart] The soup is so good, by the way.
[Bethany] Mmhmm.
[Caitlin] Oh, good.
Oh, my God.
Look at this little angel eating soup.
[Caitlin] Yeah. It’s really interesting.
The sooner you start them on real food, the better.
You know, because baby food can be such a crutch.
Ugh, tell me about it. I’ve been trying to wean myself off baby food for a while.
I want one.
Can we talk about this later?
Mmhmm.
Thank you.
[groans softly]
[gagging]
[switch clicks]
[gagging]
[retching, coughing]
[Emma] Mommy!
[retches, groans]
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, she threw up.
Oh, no. I know, baby.
I’m sorry, baby.
Oh, God, I’m gonna…
[Caitlin groans]
[stuttering] I don’t know what happened.
I figure it was the food.
Yeah, no shit.
[Miguel] Should we call Stewart?
[Josie crying] Oh, no.
Oh, God, Josie. Oh, God.
[Josie crying]
[knocks]
How’s Emma?
She’s doing better. She’s with Miguel now.
How is she?
They need to get her hydrated.
It just doesn’t matter how hard I try.
How careful I am.
I just always fuck everything up.
I fuck everything up.
[Polly] You’re wrong.
Yeah, you don’t know me.
Yes, I do.
You think if you try hard enough, you can stop bad things from happening.
But you can’t.
Nobody can.
[breathes deeply]
God, you’re so cold. Here.
Oh, thank you.
Here, okay.
I don’t want you to go.
I don’t want to either.
I just…
I don’t think I have a choice.
[Josie fussing]
[♪ Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Push the Sky Away” playing]
Bye, Polly.
[mouths]
♪ The sun, the sun
The sun was rising from the field ♪
♪ I got a feeling I just can’t shake ♪
♪ I got a feeling
that just won’t go away ♪
♪ You’ve got to just keep on pushing it ♪
♪ Keep on pushing it ♪
♪ Push the sky away ♪
So what? You don’t think we should?
[Miguel] It’s not that.
If you think it’ll help having her here…
[Caitlin] Yeah, I do.
[Miguel sighs]
What? What is it?
I’m just thinking about after Emma was born.
Okay. I was spiraling out.
It happens to a lot of women after birth.
I know. I know.
It’s just…
What?
[sighs] You have this confidence about you, and I really didn’t know what a hard time you were having until…
I think you’re making a bigger deal out of it than it was.
You ripped the kitchen apart, Caitlin.
I ripped it apart?
Yeah.
Okay.
At 4:00 in the morning, you had everything on the floor and a bottle of bleach.
Fine. Fine.
Do you remember what you said to me?
[exhales] I think I said something like, there was a smell, which there was, and that it could have been mold.
You said our lives were in danger.
[Caitlin sighs]
And, I don’t know, I guess if you’re feeling that way again…
I’m not.
Miguel…
I’m not, okay? I’m okay.
Okay.
Are you okay?
[laughs] Because I’m okay.
I’m just saying.
[laughs]
[Caitlin] It’s a really sweet little space.
I think you’ll like it.
It’s, um, got its own kitchen.
[Polly] Okay.
[Caitlin] And its own entrance up here, so you can come and go as you like.
And you just have to make it your own.
Okay, this is it.
Miguel really wanted his parents to move here, you know, to be safer.
But, um, his mom’s not the biggest fan of the States.
Who is?
[Polly sighs]
What do you think?
It’s perfect.
[Caitlin] Great.
Um, yes, you’ve got a closet here, shelves.
This a good spot for your coffee?
Yeah, that’s fine. It’s perfect. Yeah.
[speaking Spanish]
[Miguel speaking]
Emma.
[Miguel laughs]
[in English] Say bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
Yeah.
[gate creaking]
[gate closes]
[Josie crying]
[crying continues]
[Polly] Hey.
[gasps] Oh, I’m so sorry.
Um, it’s 8:30, so I just was wondering if I should put Emma to bed.
Wow, it’s 8:30?
Yeah.
[groans softly]
Is something tight?
Yeah.
Um…
I know this technique that might help.
Okay.
Okay. Just turn around.
Let’s see.
Okay. It’s gonna hurt a little bit.
[winces]
[groans softly]
There you go.
Thank you.
Yeah.
I should… I should put Emma to bed.
Okay. Yeah.
[laughs] I’m sorry.
I just… I couldn’t resist.
Hey, go back to sleep.
I can listen up for Josie.
It’s fine.
It’s okay.
What?
Nothing.
Okay.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[thudding]
What do you think?
I love it.
Just like the one you made for Emma.
[chuckles] She wouldn’t let her friends sit in it.
Is that formula?
Yeah.
I know. I know most people don’t care about that.
[chuckles]
[indistinct chatter]
Hi.
Um…
I found this in the trash.
You haven’t…
I mean, you didn’t feed this to Josie, right?
Oh. Yeah. I’ve been having a hard time getting her to drink the breast milk.
So…
I’m just confused because we had talked about not feeding her sugar at all.
We did?
Yes.
Oh, I’m so sorry, Caitlin.
II didn’t remember that.
You…
It’s…
Whatever you want.
It’s just, she might drink a little bit less.
It’s just, I clearly remember that we…
Mom…
We were playing.
Right. Sorry.
[woman over earphones] Recently.
Where should we begin?
We’ve been focusing on the secrets, the stuff we push under the rug, conversations that we are known to have, and certainly not in the public square.
The forbidden.
[indistinct conversation]
[laughter, chatter]
[Polly] Well, multiple times a week.
Right. Otherwise…
[Polly] Otherwise, well, a lot of things.
Depression, anxiety, prostate cancer.
[Miguel] Cancer?
Mmhmm.
And your source on this is some high school boyfriend?
[laughter]
Hey.
Hey.
[sighs]
This is my friend, Amelia.
Nice to meet you.
Caitlin. Mm.
They, um… They got burgers.
I’m stealing some.
Yeah. Yeah, I see that.
You’re really treating yourselves.
Uh, I mean, we have more if you want some.
No, no, no. I’m good.
You sure?
[Caitlin] Yeah.
Uh, I’m just gonna take a shower, I think.
Night.
[indistinct chatter and laughter]
[Amelia] What about women?
[Polly] Ah, it’s different.
[Amelia] No, they’re not.
[laughter]
I have to ask more questions for that one.
[exhales]
[laughter]
[Polly] Can you follow instructions?
[Amelia] Mmhmm.
[Polly] Don’t move.
[moaning]
[Amelia] You’re gonna make me fucking cum.
[both moaning]
[moaning] Choke me.
[continues moaning]
[moaning continues]
[scissors snipping]
Who’s Olivia?
She’s my little sister.
Mm.
Good morning.
Hi.
Your coffee’s ready.
Guess who got four ounces in?
What?
Of breast milk.
We’re back on track.
Great.
Okay. I think it’s looking better.
Perfect. Gold star.
[all singing] ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
Whoo!
Whoo!
What does “depressed” mean?
It means that you’re sad, that you don’t like yourself.
Is that like my mom?
No.
She’s angry.
At me?
No.
At me.
Why?
I know a secret about her.
And when you know a secret about someone, you hold power over them.
People don’t like that.
What’s the secret?
She’s pretending to be someone else.
Who is she?
Not who she’s pretending to be.
[people singing in Spanish]
[cheering]
[woman over phone] Hi, Leah.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
This is Caitlin.
Of course. Caitlin.
Sorry about that.
Uh, I’ve been having a weird reaction to my medication lately.
It’s been making me feel a little bit jittery.
Well, we could lower the dose.
You want to try taking half a pill for a week and see how that goes?
So you just want to lower the dose based on that one comment?
Well, it’s whatever you’re comfortable with, Caitlin.
Shit.
[sighs]
And right in the middle of his science lecture… [laughs] …Mr. Hutcherson sneezed and he spat all over Nicole’s face.
And she tried, like, wiping it off with her T-shirt.
That’s so gross. Mmhmmh.
Yeah, it was hilarious.
Mom?
Mmhmm?
I’ve been having these feelings.
You know, in a movie, when people are getting married or when they’re kissing or trying to make a baby?
When I watch that, I want to be the daddy, the husband.
Okay, um…
So, are you saying you wish you were a man?
[Emma] No. I wish…
I want to be kissing the woman.
I want her to love me, not him.
[Miguel clears throat]
Listen, um, you’re getting into that age where you’re gonna start having all kinds of feelings, um, and I think whatever decision you make…
No, it’s not a decision.
Okay? We’re not saying that.
[Emma] No, but I have. I’ve decided.
When I grow up, I want to have a wife, not a husband.
Is this something that you two have talked about?
Um…
Well, she just had asked me about, you know, marriage and the types of couples that there are.
She’s never said anything like this to me before.
So I think that maybe…
Mom, I think this.
I’m saying this.
Of course. And we hear you.
But maybe you overheard Polly saying this and you’re…
Caitlin, it wasn’t that, okay?
Can you stop talking for a second?
You want me to stay a baby forever, but I’m not! I’m not a baby!
I hate you!
[door slams shut]
[Polly] I’m…
I’m so sorry, Caitlin.
I did not think you’d have a problem…
I don’t have a problem with it!
Obviously.
Well, um, I’m gonna go check on her.
[sighs]
It’s okay. She’ll get over it.
You don’t think it’s strange?
She’s getting older. She’s…
She’s ten.
How old were you when you started…
Why are you asking me that?
I’m just trying to understand.
It has nothing to do with me.
She’s… She’s too young. That’s it.
And you’re not here.
You don’t see what’s been happening.
They go into her room.
They’re in there for hours, and we don’t know what they’re doing or what they’re talking about.
[sighs]
You’re saying… all the attention that Emma has been giving her, how close they’ve gotten, it’s making you jealous.
Well, that sounds bad.
Like…
No, no, no. It’s not bad at all.
It’s not bad.
[sighs] It’s just been us the whole time.
Now there’s this new person in the house.
It’s weird.
Honey, I get it.
I guess there’s just this part of me that’s like…
What?
I don’t want her to grow up, you know?
I just want her to stay mine.
I want her to be mine.
Um…
That’s just… sick.
[both laugh]
[Caitlin sniffles]
[both laugh]
[sniffles] Oh, honey.
[both chuckle]
[scraping]
[blows]
[crowd exclaiming]
[Polly] That one looks so cool.
It’s huge.
The red and orange ones?
Wow.
Yeah. Those are beautiful.
[people cheering]
You wanna go check out over there?
Oh, okay.
We’re gonna go for a walk.
Okay.
[Miguel] You okay?
Yeah.
It’s nice.
[water running]
Do you want some help cleaning up?
Sure.
You’re, um…
You’re wearing the dress I gave you.
Yeah.
Looks nice.
Oh, thanks.
[water running]
[whizzing]
[Emma] Mom! Mom!
[fireworks cackling] Mom! Fireworks!
Get down! Get down!
What happened? What happened?
Where did you get that from? Answer me!
I don’t know.
[Miguel] Caitlin, don’t.
Do you have any idea what could have happened?
Stop it! Look at her. She’s terrified.
Polly!
It’s okay. It’s okay.
I’m sorry. I got them at the park.
Why would you do that?
I thought it’d be fun.
I didn’t think she…
Fun?
It was an accident, okay?
What’s the matter with you?
What?
She did it on purpose.
Why can’t you see that?
Why would she do that?
She knew what would happen.
She wanted this to happen.
[Polly] I just think…
You know, maybe I should go.
Yeah? Yeah. Leave!
Let’s take a break and we can all…
No, no. Leave!
Leave this house!
Mom, it was my fault.
I mean, if that’s what you want.
Wait. Let’s just please…
No, no.
Do you need me to do this myself?
Because I will.
Where is she gonna go?
I don’t care!
Not here!
What are you doing? Go! Pack!
Okay. It’s okay. All right? I’m sorry.
No, Polly.
I’m sorry.
[Emma] Polly…
[Caitlin breathing heavily]
[exhales deeply]
Miguel.
What?
Do you believe me?
[in Spanish] Por Dios, no puede ser.
[in English] Do you?
[sighs] Believe you about what?
[stutters] That she did it on purpose, that she knew what would happen.
No, that’s…
What? You think she just gave her fucking fireworks and it’s fine?
I think it was a mistake.
Okay?
She just wanted to have fun.
Ugh.
Yeah, of course you’d think that.
What?
Why?
Because I’m Mexican?
I can’t help myself?
I fucking love fireworks?
No.
No. Because no matter what I say, you won’t listen to me because you think I’m a fucking nutcase that you need to handle.
No, no, no.
[sighs]
You’re…
You’re struggling again.
It’s not your fault.
But I can’t help you if you’re not willing to see the possibility that you could be wrong.
Can you see that possibility?
I don’t know.
I need you to try.
Or what?
Miguel.
Or what?
Okay.
[sniffles]
Do you… [sniffles] Do you know where she went?
Happy fucking new year to you!
Why do you do this to me?
[static buzzing]
[woman continues shouting]
[grunts]
[man 1] Hey, come on, man.
[man 2] Hey, man. I’m fucking serious.
[man 3] Hey, hey!
[people chattering]
[woman] Shut up!
I’m sorry.
I, um…
I’ve had some issues in the past, and I…
I thought that I had dealt with them, but…
I understand.
But I have a handle on that now, so…
[Stewart] Caitlin, you’re not crazy.
You know what we need?
More data.
It’s getting better. I, um…
I just need to keep focusing…
What do you know about her?
I mean, besides what she’s told you?
I mean, you can…
You can think something, but that doesn’t…
That doesn’t make it real.
Look, what are we gonna find out?
Probably that everything’s normal.
So why not just take a look. All right?
You’re my favorite psycho.
[drilling]
[Josie babbles]
Hi.
Hi.
They finally finished the renovations in here.
They did a good job.
Glad you approve.
Sorry. I’ll get out of your hair.
Listen.
I know this is their house, and, well, you’re their friend, but…
Well, this feels like… my space, so…
And you don’t want people just coming in and out.
Have a good day.
[breathes deeply]
[male voice over phone]
You have reached the voice mailbox for 5151773…
Oh.
Here you are.
Hi.
Uh, is there more breast milk?
I looked in the freezer, there’s nothing.
Oh, uh…
What are you doing in here anyway?
Nothing. I just need to finish something.
[chuckles] Okay.
Should I give her formula?
Don’t give her… No, can… Um…
Can you just take her for five minutes and I’ll be right in?
Sure.
[Josie fusses]
[keyboard clacking]
[siren chirps]
[line ringing]
[woman] Oh, my God.
Found a week later.
Rosanna?
Yes.
Hi, um, I’m Caitlin.
I called you a while back about Polly.
She nannied for you.
I know who you are.
Can I talk to you for a second?
Sure.
Is Polly okay?
Yeah, she’s fine.
She’s been involved in some dangerous incidents with my children, so…
Listen, Polly hasn’t returned my calls for a while.
If she’s using again, her behavior probably is erratic.
So, she met you here then, is that right?
And she told you what?
She told you she’s an addict?
Yes.
And I made a promise to help her however I could.
Did she ever even work for you?
Did she take care of your kids?
Sh…
Yes, she did.
You’re lying.
You know, if you had any idea what Polly’s been through…
Really? Like what?
Like when I met her, she was living in her car, and had a boyfriend who beat her up so bad she had to go to the hospital.
Okay. And you just believed her, is that right?
What? Listen, I have a meeting here.
I’m so sorry about your meeting.
You lied to me.
You put my children in danger!
Do you even care about that?
[Rosanna] I do.
And I’m trying…
What if nothing she told you is true?
What then?
What then?
Are you gonna answer me?
[man] Okay. I’m gonna ask you to leave.
I’m going!
[huffs]
[Stewart] Hey, uh, it’s Stewart.
Um, give me a call when you get this.
I, uh… I think we should talk.
[printer whirring]
[Caitlin] Hey.
I need to talk to you.
Where’d you go?
Out. I needed to check on something.
Okay. What?
[breathes deeply]
She’s lying to us.
That reference she gave, she never even worked for her.
How do you know?
Because I chased the woman down and I spoke to her.
And what?
She said, “Polly didn’t work for me”?
No. No, of course not.
II cornered her at this AA meeting, which is where they met, by the way, and then she lied to me again…
[shushes] That’s what you were doing?
Your baby’s hungry.
Oh, my God, I’m sorry…
And she’s sleeping.
I’m fucking done. Let’s talk tomorrow.
[sighs]
[knock at door]
Hi.
You want to come in?
Um…
Could you tell me what this is about first?
I owe you an apology.
I had you wrong.
And if you’re okay with it, I would like the opportunity to explain.
You can have a seat anywhere.
Can I get you something to drink?
I’m good.
Uh…
What’s that?
Well, it’s information.
About me?
Yeah.
Like what?
Well, I know your real name, Rebecca.
So, you went through my things.
Yes, I did.
And I know that you grew up in San Bernardino, like Caitlin.
But her name wasn’t Caitlin.
It was Jennifer.
Jenny.
And I know when you were seven, you lost everything, your whole family, in a fire.
Yes.
I can’t begin to imagine… what that must have been like.
No.
In context here, it’s important.
I mean, there’s no true version of the story that leaves out what you’ve been through.
Yes, there is.
That’s what happened.
She killed my parents, my baby sister, and nothing happened to her.
They changed her name and sent her away.
I mean, something happened to her before the fire.
No, that’s not true.
Regardless, I hope we can agree that what you’re doing to her now, to her husband, to her daughters, that is not right either, is it?
[sniffles]
Did you tell her?
No. I wanted to talk to you first.
But if you don’t, I will.
Uh…
I feel sick.
Um, can I use the bathroom?
Yeah, of course. Um…
It’s straight through the doorway here, just straight ahead.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[sighs]
[sighs] Buddy.
[water running]
You got this.
Rebecca… Polly, can I get you anything?
[water continues running]
If it were me, I would want the same thing you want, to see her suffer. But…
I would hope that there would be someone there to just sympathize, and end the cycle of…
[Polly grunts]
[panting]
[Polly] Had to get in there.
Had to be the savior.
[Stewart straining]
You made me do this.
I hope you realize that.
[grunts]
[grunting]
[Polly panting]
[Stewart groans softly]
[cell phone buzzing]
Hello?
[Bethany] Caitlin, it’s Bethany.
I’m at the hospital.
What is it? What…
It’s Stewart.
There was a break-in. He’s…
Oh, my God.
He’s really hurt.
Okay, I’m coming.
I’m coming now. I’m coming.
[Miguel] What’s going on?
It’s Stewart.
What happened?
He’s been attacked. Just…
Oh, my God.
Stay with the kids, okay?
Okay.
[door opens]
[indistinct conversation]
Hi.
What’s going on?
I’m sorry. Who are you?
I’m his best friend. How is he?
He…
He’s in a tough situation, given how he came in.
So I went to his house and I opened the door, and then he was just…
He was just lying there on the ground, and there was so much blood.
And then his jaw was just…
The head trauma?
Yes.
The break-in?
Yes.
Uh…
Sorry, officer.
I need to speak with you.
Let me get your number, and then I can put you in contact with the detective in charge.
Stewart thought that a woman named Polly Murphy, that she was lying to me and lying to my family.
And he was looking into her.
Wait. Polly?
You mean your nanny?
Yes.
He believed me, Stewart.
He believed me, and she knew that.
I’ll get you in contact with the officer.
I need you…
I’m trying to tell you what’s going on here!
Please, listen to me.
Ma’am, please lower your voice. Thank you.
Come with me. Let’s go.
[stutters] I’m really sorry.
I’m… I’m gonna go to the chapel, okay?
I’ll be back.
[gate creaking]
[indistinct conversation]
How is he?
Ask her.
Okay. What do you…
Get out!
Stop it.
You can go, too, if you want.
Mom.
She’s just upset about her friend.
Stop talking to her and get out!
Now!
Oh, fine. Fine.
[Miguel] Caitlin.
Caitlin, listen to me.
[Caitlin] No.
I’m done. I’m done!
Caitlin, stop! Will you…
What are you doing?
You, stop it!
Will you…
Will you stop?
Let me do it!
You get away from her!
Caitlin, stop!
Mom, what are you doing?
Stop! Get off!
Get off me!
No! No.
[Miguel] You okay?
Let me see. Let me see.
You’re hurt, Emma.
I wanna see. Let me.
Let me see. Let me see. You okay?
Come on. We’ll get you up. Come on.
[Emma whimpers] Let’s get you in the house.
[crying]
[woman over phone] What we need to do is separate the incident with Polly and Emma, which could lead to a restraining order.
[Caitlin] What about Stewart?
Caitlin, I’m very sorry you lost your friend, but it’s not going to help us.
He texted me.
And then he called her, the last person, before he died.
She has to…
That’s being investigated.
We just need you to be patient.
Fine.
Fine. I just want to see my kids now.
Today. I want to see them today.
The good news is, Miguel is willing to make that happen.
But you need to understand, he does still need her to help with the kids.
You did the right thing moving out last week, but honestly, Caitlin, in light of what happened, the judge could raise the issue of the children’s safety when they’re in your care.
They’re unsafe now!
They are with her now!
[objects clattering] No!
[ball bouncing]
[Miguel] It’s okay, sweetheart.
[Emma] Mom’s here.
All right. Come on, baby. Let’s go.
Come on, go.
Come on.
Hey.
Hey.
Did you stretch?
Not yet.
[Miguel] Here’s this.
Thanks.
Where’s Josie?
She was napping.
We agreed I could see her.
[Miguel] You will.
Dad, you staying for my game?
That’s fine with me.
Okay.
I’ll, um… I’ll go get us seats.
[indistinct conversation]
You’re mad at me.
That’s good. That’s good. You should be.
I’m hard on you, Emma.
And I know I watch you too closely.
I think because nobody really watched out for me.
But that’s not your fault, okay?
It’s not your fault.
Nobody watched out for you?
No.
I found this in Polly’s room.
I actually stole it.
[sobs]
Mom… Look…
[sniffles] It says a different name, but… that’s Polly.
See?
She’s from where you’re from.
She’s an orphan.
That’s why she tries so hard to be in our family.
So you can come back now?
Is that what you want?
[coach blows whistle]
Players to the court.
I’m trying, honey.
[whistle blows]
[girl] Come on. Come on, let’s go.
[doorbell rings]
Hi.
Josie’s still sleeping.
Rebecca.
Do you want to come in?
You look like you could use some water.
Okay.
[water running]
[man] Way to box it out.
[cheering]
[Caitlin over voicemail]
Hi, this is Caitlin.
I can’t come to the phone right now.
Please leave a message.
Come on, guys. Whoo!
Emma. Emma, we need to go home.
Why?
Come on. We gotta go.
[woman] Nice, Kayla, nice.
I’ve dreamt about this.
Meeting you.
But I guess you’ve dreamt about it even more.
Yes.
What should I say?
I’m sorry for what happened.
For what I did.
I, uh… I told the school and I told my dad… [sniffles] …what your father was doing to me, and nobody believed me.
Because you were lying.
No.
No, he hurt me.
And he wouldn’t stop.
That’s bullshit.
[breathes deeply] You pretend like you’re this good person.
But you’re not.
I’ve tried to be but…
But you’re trying to hide it from everyone, from your family.
But you can’t.
[Polly sighs]
You don’t know anything about me.
You never even met me back then.
Oh, but I saw you… that night.
[flames whooshing]
[breath trembling]
[baby crying in distance]
[baby continues crying]
[man screaming]
[house creaking]
[gasps]
[fire roaring]
[breathes deeply]
My parents.
My sister was a baby.
[sniffles] And you cried and whined about what happened to you.
They believed you then, didn’t they?
They did.
You know what I got?
I got seven different houses.
It wasn’t right…
Because of you!
Because of what you did to me.
[Josie fussing]
Look at me.
Do you know how much pain you caused me?
[Josie crying]
But you know I wasn’t lying.
You know.
Because he did it to you, too.
He told me.
No.
How much we looked alike.
That we could be sisters.
No.
I’ve thought about you every single day.
What you’ve suffered, what I took from you.
You were alone with nothing.
Stop.
Just please believe me.
I know how that feels.
I’m here now.
I’m here for whatever you want to say.
What…
What I want…
[glass shatters]
[grunts] …is for you to rot in hell…
[Josie crying] …while I sleep in your bed…
[glass crunching]
[Caitlin groans] …and fuck your husband, and raise your beautiful daughters.
[Josie crying]
[Polly grunts] [groaning]
[panting]
[groaning]
[screaming in pain]
[Josie continues crying]
[groans in pain]
[vase shatters]
[Caitlin grunts]
[panting]
[Josie crying]
[Caitlin groaning]
Okay, baby.
[glass crunching]
[glass crunching]
[Caitlin over voicemail]
Hi. This is Caitlin.
I can’t come to the phone…
Dad.
[Miguel] Come on, Emma.
What’s happening?
[groaning]
[Josie fussing]
[Josie crying]
[seat belt clicks]
[gate creaks open]
It’s okay, baby.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
[shattering]
[screams] Get out! Get out of the car!
[tires screeching]
[crying] It’s okay.
Stop! No!
[Polly grunting]
[grunting]
[tires screeching]
[brakes screech, crashes]
[Miguel] Oh, my God! Caitlin!
[crying]
[Miguel] Oh, my God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God. Caitlin.
[Caitlin] I’m okay.
You’re hurt.
[Caitlin] I’m okay.
[Josie crying]
She’s okay.
I’m so sorry.
I’m sorry.
Let me help you. Let me help you.
[Josie babbling]
Give me the baby.
Come here, sweetheart. I got you.
I saw her.
I’m so sorry.
Forgive me.
I should have listened to you.
It’s okay.
It’s okay.
Please. Send help.
We need an ambulance.
[Polly choking]
[crying]
[both crying]
[flames crackling]
Is she coming?
She’s with Josie.
This kid, she knows everything.
It’s gonna be okay.
We’re gonna be okay.
[Josie fussing]
[Emma speaking indistinctly]
So, it was her, her parents, and her baby sister, Olivia.
But then one day she had to go live all on her own.
And the place Rebecca went to, there was nothing to eat but tuna fish.
It gets even sillier than that.
There was no mayonnaise, no lettuce, no bread even.
She had to eat the tuna out of a can like a cat.
Meow.
[laughs] When there was no more left… there was nothing left to eat.
[♪ The Velvet Underground & Nico “I’ll Be Your Mirror” playing]
[shushes]
♪ I’ll be your mirror ♪
♪ Reflect what you are
In case you don’t know ♪
♪ I’ll be the wind
the rain, and the sunset ♪
♪ The light on your door
to show that you’re home ♪
♪ When you think the night
has seen your mind ♪
♪ That inside, you’re twisted and unkind ♪
♪ Let me stand to show
that you are blind ♪
♪ Please put down your hands ♪
♪ ‘Cause I see you ♪
♪ I find it hard to believe
you don’t know ♪
♪ The beauty you are ♪
♪ But if you don’t, let me be your eyes ♪
♪ A hand to your darkness
so you won’t be afraid ♪
♪ When you think the night
has seen your mind ♪
♪ That inside, you’re twisted and unkind ♪
♪ Let me stand to show
that you are blind ♪
♪ Please put down your hands ♪
♪ ‘Cause I see you ♪
♪ I’ll be your mirror ♪
♪ Reflect what you are ♪
♪ I’ll be your mirror ♪
♪ Reflect what you are ♪
♪ I’ll be your mirror ♪
♪ Reflect what you are ♪
♪ I’ll be your mirror ♪
♪ Reflect what you are ♪
