Time: 131 Minutes
Age Rating: M – contains adult themes
Cast:
Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse
John Cassavetes as Guy Woodhouse
Ruth Gordon as Minnie Castevet
Sidney Blackmer as Roman Castevet
Maurice Evans as Hutch
Ralph Bellamy as Dr. Abraham Sapirstein
Director: Roman Polanski

I had heard about Rosemary’s Baby, mainly that it was a horror classic from the 60s directed by Roman Polanski, which was said to not only be an incredible movie, but also a masterpiece. It lived up to all the acclaim.

Rosemary’s Baby is masterfully written, it unfolds like a mystery with a gradual reveal of what’s happening. There’s a lot to unpack thematically, with faith vs satanism, but especially plays around with societal gender roles and politics. It isn’t a movie that’s overtly scary, generally nothing violent or grotesque is shown either. That being said, it is incredibly unnerving and unsettling. It is uneasy from the very start, and there is this growing feeling of oppression, claustrophobia, dread and hopelessness, especially when it becomes apparent what is happening to protagonist Rosemary and everything around her. What makes it hit harder is how realistic the film feels, especially with its characters, and concludes with a haunting ending. 

The acting is also amazing from everyone. Mia Farrow delivers an incredible, committed and convincing performance in the lead role. Other actors like John Cassavetes, Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon are also great and authentic in their parts. 

Rosemary’s Baby is truly directed excellently; the cinematography is outstanding, and the editing is immaculate. Outside of maybe a couple of scenes, it is lighter on the jump scares, but nonetheless generates such an effectively unnerving atmosphere. 

Rosemary’s Baby is a really great psychological horror film, captivating and unsettling, excellently directed and written, and is fantastically performed, especially by Mia Farrow. It’s an incredibly influential film that many movies to this day take inspiration from (including Hereditary and mother!), and having finally watched it, it’s no surprise why.