'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle': Mexican director Michelle Garza Cervera reimagines classic film

LOS ANGELES -- A new chapter is about to be written in the legacy of psychological thrillers.

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," a defining film of the early 1990s, has been reimagined for a new generation, through the lens of acclaimed Mexican director and screenwriter Michelle Garza Cervera.

Starring Maika Monroe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, the reimagination explores trauma, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" premieres Oct. 22, streaming exclusively on Hulu.

In an interview with ABC's On The Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight, Michelle Garza Cervera emphasized the importance of creating something fresh while still respecting the original film.

"The original ["The Hand That Rocks the Cradle"] is a legendary, iconic movie," Garza Cervera said. "And I really believe that the best way to honor an original film where you're reimagining it, is to create a whole new concept [but] you keep the heart of it. I started seeing the whole project as a film that needed to stand on its own."

For Garza Cervera, her passion for storytelling began long before she stepped behind the camera.

"I was fortunate to grow up in a very creative household," she said. "Since I was 7 to 8 years old, I was already writing short stories with illustrations."

That early spark of creativity would eventually evolve into a filmmaking style rooted in psychological horror.

From her early short films to her debut feature, "Huesera: The Bone Woman," her work consistently explores the darker corners of the human experience.

In a genre historically dominated by men, Garza Cervera has carved out a space for herself. She is the second female Mexican director to release a mainstream horror feature.

Her work has earned recognition across the industry, including honors such as the best new narrative director and the Nora Ephron Award at the Tribeca Film Festival, among other accolades.

Her growing recognition reflects not only her talent, but also her commitment to telling stories that challenge convention.

With that same boldness, Garza Cervera brings a fresh perspective to "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," diving into themes not often seen in mainstream thrillers.

"There's such a big history in horror movies about women being attacked, women being murdered, being followed," she said. "We sometimes are victims, but we can also be perpetrators. And there can be fear combined with guilt."

Diving into these complex characters and themes of generational trauma was central to her vision for the film.

Garza Cervera uses the character of Polly, portrayed by Maika Monroe, to examine the moral ambiguity at the heart of the story.

As the nanny welcomed into the Morales household, Polly becomes a vessel for exploring the tension between compassion and danger.

RELATED: Maika Monroe terrifies in modern remake of 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle'

"In this film, you can empathize with her [Polly]" she said. "And to me, I find that very interesting when you see humanity in those characters that are usually perceived as evil."

Monroe anticipates audiences will wrestle with that ambiguity.

"I hope that maybe it's a little bit more complicated for the audience to know which side they're on," said Garza Cervera. "But man, oh man, she does some bad things."

Ultimately, she encourages audiences to embrace the film as a new story with its own emotional weight.

"I really hope audiences try to watch this movie as a reimagination," said Garza Cervera. "A movie that is wanting to be entertaining but also holds new themes of the way violence repeats itself."

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" premieres Oct. 22, streaming exclusively on Hulu.

Watch ABC's On The Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight interview with Mexican film director Michelle Garza Cervera to celebrate the thrilling reimagining of the classic hit "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" in the video player above.

Nzinga Blake and Dean Singleton contributed to this report.

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