In Rosemary’s Baby, young couple, Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse move to the Bramford – a large apartment building in New York. Guy is an actor, Rosemary a housewife, they are recently wed and have plans to start a family.
Shortly after they move in, Guy and Rosemary meet their new neighbours, Roman and Minnie Castevet. They appear harmless enough, although Minnie seems to be a bit of a busybody.
As time passes, Guy and Rosemary become good friends with the Castevets. A short while later, Rosemary falls pregnant and the neighbours are keen to help her out wherever they can.
But the more time she spends around the Castevets, the more Rosemary grows suspicious of their intentions. She also seems to be suffering with an incredibly unpleasant pregnancy.
Written and directed by Roman Polanski, and based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin, Rosemary’s Baby is a psychological horror starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, and Ralph Bellamy. Originally released in 1968, the film focuses on Rosemary’s turbulent pregnancy, her relationship with Guy, and her interactions with her neighbours – specifically Minnie.
Although conceived as a one-off horror, Rosemary’s Baby is the first entry in the Rosemary’s Baby movie series. The picture was accompanied by a TV sequel in 1976, as well as a streaming prequel in 2024, and is often regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all-time.
Rosemary’s Baby is dark, claustrophobic, and steeped in paranoia. The film deals with a secret Satanic cult operating out of the Bramford, with Roman and Minnie as the lead figures and Rosemary their unwitting target.
During the course of the film Rosemary finds herself trapped and isolated, as her existing friendships dry up and her marriage becomes strained. What should be a joyous occasion, with a new home and a baby on the way, quickly descends into a nightmare as Rosemary is used and abused by those she trusts.
With its suspenseful story and its stellar cast – including an award-winning, scene-stealing performance from Ruth Gordon as Minnie Castevet – Rosemary’s Baby is an unsettling, panic-inducing picture. The film tells a slow-burning tale about Rosemary’s torturous pregnancy, accompanied by witches, dark charms and herbs, and a dodgy Vidal Sassoon haircut.
The horror kicks in from the get-go when Guy and Rosemary are being shown around their new apartment. The realtor notices a large piece of furniture has been inexplicably moved to cover up a linen closet that backs onto the neighbours’ apartment, and this is the first suggestion something isn’t quite right.
From here, a strange death, the continual interference from Minnie and Roman, and Guy’s odd behaviour all add to the horror. Then Rosemary falls pregnant, she becomes gaunt and sickly, an old friend dies under mysterious circumstances, and Rosemary becomes increasingly suspicious of everything going on around her.
All of this adds up to a sinister plot and a story which is truly compelling. The film builds and builds with Rosemary as the centrepiece, and Mia Farrow’s performance becomes the driving force of the picture.
As horror movies go, Rosemary’s Baby isn’t flashy, doesn’t rely on jump scares, and contains no gore. For the most part, the horror is understated, with large sections of the movie working from what is being suggested or hinted at, rather than what is shown.
But this is the brilliance of the film. It is very successful in its ability to unnerve without having to throw blood and guts at the screen and this has helped it stand the test of time.
The screenplay is also masterfully put together to ensure the story gets under the skin. The film never fails to deliver and never loses its bite, no matter how many times you watch it.
Rosemary’s Baby is one of my all-time favourite horror movies and I watch it on an annual basis. It’s up there with Psycho, Scream, and Halloween, and I adore it.
The slow unspooling of the horror is brilliant, the sheer amount of paranoia is off the scale, and the performances from all the cast, even the minor supporting players is excellent. The final act is deeply disturbing, with the last scene the pinnacle of the piece, and if we can momentarily side-step the problems associated with writer/director Polanski, Rosemary’s Baby is the perfect film.
Many movies have attempted to copy what Rosemary’s Baby does, but almost all have failed. The film is a masterclass in implied horror and suspense, as well as a must-see for anyone looking for an unsettling couple of hours.
Should you wish to watch Rosemary’s Baby, the movie is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K. The film can also be downloaded through digital platforms.
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