Rosemary’s Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the best-selling novel by Ira Levin. The film is a landmark in the horror genre, known for its subtle and chilling approach to supernatural terror and its exploration of paranoia, control, and the loss of agency.
The story follows Rosemary Woodhouse, played by Mia Farrow, a young woman who moves into a new apartment in New York City with her husband, Guy, played by John Cassavetes. Soon after moving in, Rosemary becomes pregnant, but she begins to experience strange symptoms and vivid nightmares, leading her to suspect that something is terribly wrong with her unborn child.
As the pregnancy progresses, Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, especially as her neighbors, the eccentric and overly friendly Castevets, start to show an unusual interest in her and the baby. She eventually uncovers the horrifying truth: her husband has made a pact with the Castevets, who are part of a Satanic cult, and they plan to use her child as a vessel for the Antichrist.
*Rosemary’s Baby* is celebrated for its psychological depth, slow-building tension, and the way it masterfully blends horror with a critique of societal expectations of women and motherhood. Mia Farrow’s performance as Rosemary, a woman trapped in a terrifying situation beyond her control, is widely regarded as one of the finest in horror cinema.
The filmβs influence is profound, establishing a template for modern psychological horror and inspiring countless films and directors. *Rosemary’s Baby* remains a classic, haunting viewers with its portrayal of evil lurking behind the facade of everyday life and the terrifying idea of losing control over oneβs own body and fate.
