Rosemary’s Baby is definitively a horror film, though it masterfully incorporates elements of the thriller genre to build suspense and psychological tension1. This iconic 1968 film, directed by Roman Polanski, draws on classic horror themes like the occult and the supernatural, while also exploring the anxieties of pregnancy and the horrors of domesticity4. The film’s disturbing imagery, chilling atmosphere, and focus on dread and impending doom firmly place it within the horror genre1. What sets this film apart from typical horror fare is its subtle and atmospheric approach. Rather than relying on explicit gore or jump scares, Polanski cultivates a sense of unease and dread through unsettling imagery, ambiguous events, and a focus on Rosemary’s deteriorating psychological state7.
However, what makes Rosemary’s Baby so compelling is its masterful blending of horror and thriller elements1. The film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its slow-burn suspense, paranoia, and psychological manipulation7. The ambiguity surrounding Rosemary’s experiences and the constant questioning of what is real and what is imagined create a thrilling sense of uncertainty7.
Horror Elements in Rosemary’s Baby
Rosemary’s Baby is replete with classic horror elements that contribute to its chilling atmosphere and disturbing narrative:
The Occult and Satanism
The film centers around a Satanic cult that uses Rosemary as a vessel to bring the Antichrist into the world4. This focus on the occult and the presence of Satan himself as the antagonist firmly establish the film’s horror roots9. The film’s disturbing imagery, such as the grotesque paintings in the Bramford apartment building, amplifies the horror6. One particularly unsettling scene involves a dream sequence where Rosemary is drugged and raped by Satan11. This scene is filled with disturbing imagery, including claw-like hands raking across Rosemary’s abdomen and the chilling presence of Satan himself12. The dream also features symbolic elements, such as a boat representing heaven, earth, and hell, and imagery from the Sistine Chapel that is twisted to reflect the Satanic ritual11. This nightmarish sequence blurs the lines between reality and dream, contributing to the film’s psychological complexity and leaving a lasting impression on the viewer12.
Food as a Weapon
Food, typically a symbol of nourishment and comfort, is used as a tool of manipulation and horror in Rosemary’s Baby13. In one particularly unsettling scene, Rosemary eats a chocolate mousse with a “chalky undertaste” given to her by her neighbor, Minnie Castevet13. This seemingly innocuous dessert is laced with drugs, rendering Rosemary catatonic and vulnerable to the cult’s plan13. This scene highlights the insidious nature of the cult and the ways in which they manipulate Rosemary’s trust and her own body13.
Rosemary’s Confrontation with the Coven
The film’s climax occurs when Rosemary finally confronts the coven and sees her baby for the first time14. This scene is filled with chilling imagery and unsettling revelations. Rosemary discovers a black mass ritual taking place in the Castevets’ apartment, with her baby, Adrian, at the center14. Roman Castevet, the cult leader, proclaims that Adrian is the child of Satan, marking the beginning of a new era for humanity14. Rosemary’s initial reaction is one of horror and disbelief, but as she hears Adrian’s cries, her maternal instincts begin to surface14.
Thriller Elements in Rosemary’s Baby
While Rosemary’s Baby is primarily a horror film, it effectively incorporates elements of the thriller genre to enhance its suspense and psychological complexity:
While the film’s foundation is built on horror, it seamlessly integrates elements of the thriller genre, creating a multi-layered narrative that keeps viewers captivated and constantly guessing7.
Suspense and Uncertainty
One of the key thriller elements in Rosemary’s Baby is the constant sense of suspense and uncertainty that permeates the film7. Polanski masterfully keeps viewers guessing about the true nature of events, blurring the lines between reality and Rosemary’s paranoia9. Is she truly surrounded by a Satanic cult, or is she succumbing to a mental breakdown? This ambiguity is maintained throughout the film, creating a thrilling sense of anticipation and anxiety9.
The Dinner Scene at Hutch’s Apartment
A pivotal scene that highlights the film’s thriller aspects takes place at a dinner party hosted by Rosemary’s friend, Hutch15. This seemingly ordinary gathering takes a sinister turn as Hutch reveals crucial information about the Bramford building and its dark history15. He mentions previous residents involved in cannibalism, witchcraft, and even a man who claimed to have summoned the devil15. This scene foreshadows the events to come and plants seeds of doubt in Rosemary’s mind, setting the stage for the film’s descent into paranoia and psychological manipulation15.
Psychological Manipulation and Gaslighting
Rosemary’s Baby masterfully explores themes of psychological manipulation and gaslighting, creating a chilling portrayal of a woman trapped in a web of deceit5. Rosemary is constantly manipulated by those around her, including her husband Guy, her neighbors the Castevets, and even her doctor2. They control her diet, her medication, and her access to information, slowly eroding her sense of reality and making her question her own sanity16. This psychological torment is a hallmark of the thriller genre, adding another layer of complexity to the film’s horror5.
Moral Ambiguity
Rosemary’s Baby delves into the murky waters of moral ambiguity, challenging viewers to question the motivations and actions of the characters14. Guy, Rosemary’s husband, initially appears to be a loving and supportive partner8. However, as the film progresses, his true nature is revealed. He betrays Rosemary’s trust and participates in the cult’s plan, driven by his own ambition and desire for success8. This betrayal adds a layer of moral ambiguity that is often found in thriller narratives, making viewers question the nature of good and evil and the complexities of human relationships17.
Cultural Context and Genre Classification
Rosemary’s Baby was released in 1968, a time of significant social and cultural change18. The film reflects the anxieties of the era, particularly those surrounding women’s liberation and changing attitudes towards religion and the occult2. The film’s exploration of female autonomy, the horrors of domesticity, and the fear of societal constraints resonated with audiences at the time and continue to be relevant today1.
The film’s opening title sequence plays a crucial role in establishing these themes18. The curling script and feminine voiceover introduce Rosemary, a young woman who embodies the societal expectations of the 1960s18. However, the unsettling lullaby and the jarring visuals hint at the darkness that lies beneath the surface, foreshadowing the challenges to her autonomy and the subversion of traditional notions of motherhood18.
Rosemary’s Baby also tapped into the cultural anxieties surrounding pregnancy and childbirth19. In the 1960s, women were often expected to embrace motherhood as their primary role, with little consideration for the physical and emotional toll it could take19. The film reflects these anxieties through Rosemary’s difficult pregnancy, her isolation, and her loss of control over her own body19. Rosemary’s experiences resonate with women’s fears of losing their identity and autonomy in the face of societal expectations and patriarchal structures19.
Furthermore, the film’s release coincided with the rise of the New Hollywood movement, a period of significant change in the film industry18. This movement saw a shift away from traditional Hollywood narratives towards more complex and challenging themes18. Rosemary’s Baby, with its exploration of the occult, psychological horror, and social anxieties, exemplifies this shift, reflecting the changing landscape of filmmaking and the growing desire for films that addressed the darker aspects of human experience18.
The film’s release also coincided with the rise of modern religious Satanism, further fueling public interest in the occult and contributing to the film’s cultural impact9. The Church of Satan, founded in 1966, challenged traditional religious norms and embraced individualism and self-empowerment, themes that are subtly reflected in Rosemary’s Baby9.
Rosemary’s Baby serves as an allegory for the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society, particularly in controlling their own bodies and reproductive choices4. Rosemary’s lack of agency throughout her pregnancy, her forced compliance with the cult’s plan, and her ultimate acceptance of her role as the mother of Satan’s child reflect the constraints and expectations placed upon women in a male-dominated world4.
Conclusion
Rosemary’s Baby is a horror film that masterfully incorporates elements of the thriller genre to create a chilling and suspenseful narrative1. The film’s focus on the occult, psychological horror, and the anxieties of pregnancy firmly place it within the horror genre4. However, its use of suspense, psychological manipulation, and moral ambiguity also draws on thriller conventions, making it a complex and multi-layered film that continues to captivate audiences today7.
The film’s ambiguous and unsettling ending leaves viewers with lingering questions and a sense of unease20. Rosemary’s decision to accept her role as Adrian’s mother, despite his demonic origins, is both disturbing and thought-provoking20. This ending subverts expectations and challenges viewers to consider the complexities of motherhood, the power of societal pressures, and the enduring nature of evil20. Rosemary’s Baby remains a landmark film in the horror genre, not only for its chilling atmosphere and suspenseful narrative but also for its ability to provoke thought and discussion about the darker aspects of human experience and the societal forces that shape our lives.
Works Cited
1. Cinema with Sam: Rosemary’s Baby is a horror genre touchstone worth the hype – The Lafayette, accessed February 6, 2025, https://lafayettestudentnews.com/170277/culture/cinema-with-sam-rosemarys-baby-is-a-horror-genre-touchstone-worth-the-hype/
2. Rosemary’s Baby (film) – Wikipedia, accessed February 6, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary%27s_Baby_(film)
3. The Difference Between Horror and Thriller Movies and TV Shows | No Film School, accessed February 6, 2025, https://nofilmschool.com/difference-between-horror-and-thriller
4. The Impact of Rosemary’s Baby on Horror – Hysteria Podcast, accessed February 6, 2025, https://hysteriapod.com/the-impact-of-rosemarys-baby-on-horror/
5. Horrors of Domesticity: Rosemary’s Baby – The Digital Literature Review, accessed February 6, 2025, https://blogs.bsu.edu/dlr/2020/01/14/horrors-of-domesticity-rosemarys-baby/
6. Monstrosity, Horror, and the Blind Spot in Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Critical Mass, accessed February 6, 2025, https://thecriticalmassblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/monstrosity-horror-and-the-blind-spot-in-rosemarys-baby-1968/comment-page-1/
7. #134 – Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – The Proto Slow Burn and Influence For Modern Horror, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.cinedicate.com/134-rosemarys-baby-1968/
8. Rosemary’s Baby Film Analysis 1968 | by Sarah | Medium, accessed February 6, 2025, https://sarahck36.medium.com/rosemarys-baby-film-analysis-1968-274d742dddb6
9. Rosemary’s Baby | Horror, Psychological Thriller, Roman Polanski – Britannica, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rosemarys-Baby-film-1968
10. Weekly Horror: Rosemary’s Baby – Penn Moviegoer, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.thepennmoviegoer.com/movie-review/weekly-horror-rosemarys-baby
11. Rosemary’s Baby 1968: An Intersection of Religion and Popular Culture – Medium, accessed February 6, 2025, https://medium.com/@a.deroche/rosemarys-baby-1968-an-intersection-of-religion-and-popular-culture-48d46016fa67
12. Guy Horror: “Rosemary’s Baby” and Coercive Control – Public Books, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.publicbooks.org/guy-horror-rosemarys-baby-coercive-control/
13. How Food Becomes a Site of Horror in This Classic Halloween Movie – Food52, accessed February 6, 2025, https://food52.com/blog/18291-how-food-becomes-a-site-of-horror-in-this-classic-halloween-movie
14. Rosemary’s Baby Ending, Explained – Game Rant, accessed February 6, 2025, https://gamerant.com/rosemarys-baby-ending-explained/
15. ANALYSIS: Dinner is Served – A Tasting Menu of Mealtimes in Horror, accessed February 6, 2025, https://movingpicturesfilmclub.com/2021/11/25/analysis-dinner-is-served-a-tasting-menu-of-mealtimes-in-horror/
16. Revisiting Rosemary’s Baby and Its Themes Surrounding Bodily Autonomy | by vanessa maki | Interstellar Flight Magazine, accessed February 6, 2025, https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/revisiting-rosemarys-baby-and-its-themes-surrounding-bodily-autonomy-f3be8c388158
17. Rosemary’s Baby Question: What convinced Guy to do what he did? : r/TrueFilm – Reddit, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueFilm/comments/wsdgpq/rosemarys_baby_question_what_convinced_guy_to_do/
18. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Art of the Title, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/rosemarys-baby/
19. The Sanctity and Disgust of the Female Body in “Rosemary’s Baby” – Inquiries Journal, accessed February 6, 2025, http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1810/the-sanctity-and-disgust-of-the-female-body-in-rosemarys-baby
20. Rosemary’s Baby Ending, Explained – Screen Rant, accessed February 6, 2025, https://screenrant.com/rosemarys-baby-ending-explained/
21. Rosemary’s Baby’s Ending Just Became Even More Disturbing, 56 Years After Mia Farrow’s Star-Making Scene, accessed February 6, 2025, https://screenrant.com/apartment-7a-rosemarys-baby-terry-ending-helpless-disturbing/