Plot: A young couple moves into an apartment only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbours and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins to control her life – Rosemary’s Baby.
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
Released: 1969
If you liked – The Shinning, Hereditary, The Invitation
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that you wouldn’t have got The Exorcist or The Omen without Rosemarie’s Baby and although the film is somewhat dated, it remains a classic and one of the few supernatural horror films to successfully make the inner-city scary.
It was during the making of this film, that director Roman Polanski’s pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson Family, giving the plot of Rosemary’s Baby an extra tinge of sadness and making Polanski probably the perfect person to be making this film, not only this, isolation, fear of the unknown and urban angst are Polanski’s speciality.
Mia Farrow is absolutely amazing in this film and perfectly cast alongside John Cassavetes as newlyweds Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who’ve recently moved into a new apartment and soon set about making a family, only to discover that the inhabitants of this gothic inner-city building might not be the nice neighbours they first believed. It’s easy to see why the film jump-started her career and set her on the path to stardom. She beautifully pulls off the transition from being sweet and vulnerable to paranoid as her pregnancy progresses and she suspects all around her may night have her or the baby’s best interests at heart.
Yes, this might sound a little cliche now but in 1969 this was a lot fresher, plus when you have Ruth Gordon in the role that won her an Oscar and ever-excellent Sidney Blackmer playing the nosy couple next door, how can anything feel stale, even with the 140-minute runtime. Normally a long time in the horror genre, but here, for the most part, flies by.
This isn’t to say that sometimes you have some unnecessary dialogue, such as a scene in the laundry room that feels a little out of place, though this does mean we are treated to more of Rosemary’s background than the audience normally is given in a film of this genre. This is probably down to Polanski not wanting to make a shock-and-gore horror, but rather a film all about the atmosphere and tension.
Some might say that Rosemarie’s Baby isn’t so much a horror movie, but in fact, a film with horror elements, I would argue that there are enough moments of terror throughout to be classed as a horror film. Including the difficult to watch rape-scene, mixed with flashes of a demonic entity that foreshadows the implications, or Rosemary’s reaction to first meeting her newborn baby and what it conjures up in your imagination. It really is a great climax, and no wonder it inspired so many directors.
Rosemary’s Baby is a real classic in the horror genre and some taboos that were covered here are rarely touched even today, making it a must-see film for fans of supernatural or occult films or fans of movies where tension and great acting are paramount.
Roses Have Thoughts 
You’ve been bringing out a lot of old school movies lately, and I think that’s awesome. I’m a big fan of movies from across genres and decades, and Rosemary’s Baby really is one of the classics.
One of the best classic horror films. They don’t do good horror movies anymore but we can still enjoy some of the classics and get the real feel of horror
I’ve always thought about it, but in the end, I don’t think I’m going to watch this movie. I think it’s a fascinating concept for a movie, but I’m already scared, while reading about it. 😉
While I have not watched Rosemary’s Baby, I have certainly heard about it. I didn’t realise it was made so early in 1969, or that it was during the time of Sharon Tate’s murder. That would have made the director’s job all the more hard and challenging. I agree that the best horror films are not so much about the blood and gore, but more about what you are imagining is about to happen. It’s the concept that is more frightening and I’m now somewhat keen or curious to watch this now.
Glad to see someone talking about it. I thought this movie was lost in time. I love Rosemary’s Baby because of its surreal atmosphere and the display of feminism through motherhood.
someone told me that this is one of the finest horror films ever made. I love to read the book as well. But, I need to watch this….
looks like a really good movie, nice and scary!! wheres my popcorn!
I make this movie on my watchlist now.
I love old movies. I believe this is the movie that really put Mia Farrow on the map, no? I had not realized Roman Palanski directed this movie.
I remember watching this movie as a kid at a friends house. I didn’t tell my parents but I couldn’t sleep for weeks afterwards!
I watched this movie as a kid at my friends house. I couldn’t sleep for weeks afterwards but I couldn’t tell my parents.
I don’t know this film but it sure does look so interesting. I’ll look for Rosemary’s Baby film so I can watch it.
i’m loving all the classics. i need to watch this one as well. prob do a marathon or something.
I heard about this movie before but I never got the chance, it is one of the classics
Adding this to my watch list! I have been a fan of Mia Farrow for a long time! Can’t wait to see this based on your excellent review.
I have watched this movie, it was a great movie. One of those few horror movies worth watching.
I remember to watch Rosemary’s Baby a few years ago and I was a great horror flick. Old school to say the least.
This is quite creepy to watch but still, I’m gonna watch it coz it is classic!.
Exciting plot with a sense of suspense. Horror movies do excite me as a change from the normal love stories or action movies.