Rosemary's Baby 1968
Directed by
Roman Polanski
Made by
Paramount Pictures
Plot Summary
New York City, fall of 1965: In the bustling heart of Manhattan, young newlyweds Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse (Mia Farrow](/actor/mia-farrow) and John Cassavetes) find a new beginning as they rent an apartment in the gothic elegance of the Bramford building. Despite their friend and landlord, Edward “Hutch” Hutchins (Maurice Evans), warning them about the building’s dark history—one that includes cannibal killers, Satanists, and notorious witches like the Trench Sisters and the infamous Adrian Marcato, who, back in the late 1890s, ignited a scandal by claiming he could summon “The Living Devil”—the couple chooses to ignore the warnings and move in anyway.
As the aspiring actor Guy strives for more significant roles beyond his small TV parts and commercials, Rosemary, a kind-hearted soul from Omaha, Nebraska, is committed to supporting him. She’s estranged from her family, who disapprove of her marriage, feeling isolated in the vast city. Life as a devoted housewife fills her existence, yet Rosemary finds herself longing for deeper connections, often feeling sweetly naïve and lonely amidst a good circle of friends.
Their lives take a jarring turn when Rosemary befriends Terry Gionnoffrio (Victoria Vetri), a young woman rescued from addiction by the eccentric elderly couple, Roman and Minnie Castevet (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon). However, after a tragic accident leads to Terry plunging to her death, Rosemary finds herself increasingly entwined with the Castevets, who seem overly interested in her and Guy’s lives. This odd relationship grows tense as Rosemary notices unsettling shifts in Guy, who unexpectedly leaps to success just as his rival, Donald Baumgart, mysteriously goes blind.
Then, in a surprising twist, Guy expresses his desire to start a family. Overjoyed, Rosemary prepares for “baby night,” during which she receives a strange chocolate mousse from Minnie. Although Rosemary finds it unpleasant, Guy dismisses her concerns, leading her to eat it anyway. Soon after, she experiences a disorienting night filled with haunting dreams—a surreal sequence that transports her to bizarre places, culminating in a horrifying event where she feels violated, awakening sore and confused.
As the months roll on and Rosemary becomes pregnant, her joy is overshadowed by persistent dread and doubts about those around her. With Dr. C.C. Hill (Charles Grodin) confirming her pregnancy, she finds herself under the dubious care of Dr. Abraham Sapirstein (Ralph Bellamy), who prescribes strange herbal remedies from Minnie and fails to address her growing health concerns. Ignoring her pain, those close to her—especially the Castevets—seem more interested in her condition than her well-being, which disturbs her deeply.
In an effort to regain some sense of normalcy, she throws a party for her friends but is met with concern over her worsening state. Rosemary’s fears escalate when her friend Hutch visits, only to mysteriously fall into a coma and die shortly after. Inheriting his final gift, a book titled “All of Them Witches,” provides her with a confusing but chilling insight into her predicament. Unraveling the puzzle leads to a horrifying realization—her suspicions that Roman and Minnie are part of a malevolent coven take hold.
As Rosemary plunges deeper into her conspiracy, her life spirals into a nightmare. When she realizes Guy may have sacrificed their baby to aid his career, her attempts to seek help are thwarted, leading to forced confinement by those she once trusted. Eventually, she awakens to a sinister revelation: her child, delivered under false pretenses, is tied to dark forces. Discovering the chilling truth about the coven and their intentions, Rosemary faces the ultimate test of motherhood.
In a desperate bid, she confronts the Castevets and their coven, revealing her maternal instincts. Torn between horror and the primal bond with her child, she cautiously approaches the bassinet, resisting the darkness that surrounds her. With her heart conflicted, she begins to sing to her baby, signaling a moment of acceptance amidst the chaos that threatens to engulf her life.
Timeline
Move to the Bramford
In the fall of 1965, newlyweds Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse move into the gothic Bramford building in Manhattan. Their relocation symbolizes a fresh start despite warning signs from friends about the building's dark past.
Warnings Ignored
As they settle in, the couple learns from their friend Hutch about the Bramford's notorious history, including tales of witches and cannibal killers. Despite the unsettling stories, Rosemary and Guy choose to dismiss the warnings and continue with their new life.
Terry's Introduction
Rosemary befriends Terry, a young woman who has overcome addiction with help from the elderly Castevets. The friendship offers Rosemary a glimpse of camaraderie, but the happiness is short-lived following a tragic accident that leads to Terry's mysterious death.
Guy's Unexpected Success
Almost immediately after Terry's death, Guy’s acting career begins to flourish while his rival mysteriously goes blind. Rosemary becomes increasingly suspicious of the strange coincidences linking her husband's success to the enigmatic Castevets.
Desire for Family
Guy expresses a longing to start a family, thrilling Rosemary. Excited, she prepares for a significant evening but receives an unusual chocolate mousse from Minnie, which she is pressured to eat despite her discomfort.
Haunting Dreams
After consuming the mousse, Rosemary experiences a surreal and disturbing night filled with nightmarish visions and feelings of violation. These dreams mark the beginning of her growing sense of dread and confusion about her reality.
Pregnancy Confirmed
Months later, Rosemary learns from Dr. Hill that she is pregnant. However, her joy is quickly overshadowed by the growing influence of the Castevets and a troubling relationship with her dubious physician, Dr. Sapirstein.
Hutch's Coma and Death
Hutch pays a visit to Rosemary, but shortly thereafter falls into a coma and dies. His passing leaves Rosemary devastated and fearful, especially as she inherits a book titled 'All of Them Witches' that points to the sinister forces at play around her.
Realization of the Coven
As Rosemary delves deeper into the implications of Hutch's book, she comes to suspect that Roman and Minnie are involved in a coven that seeks control over her pregnancy and her child. This revelation ignites a series of frightening experiences and betrayals.
Forced Confinement
Betrayed and isolated, Rosemary discovers that her husband may have sacrificed their child for his own career advancement. Her attempts to escape the control surrounding her are thwarted, culminating in her forced confinement by those she once trusted.
The Sinister Revelation
After giving birth under false pretenses, Rosemary awakens to a horrifying reality where her child is tied to dark, occult forces. Her maternal instincts clash with her fear as she grapples with what has transpired while she was unaware.
Confrontation with the Castevets
Driven by a mix of desperation and resolve, Rosemary confronts Roman and Minnie Castevet. In her heart, she struggles against both anger and the primal connection to her child, leading to a critical moment of choice.
Acceptance of Motherhood
In a hauntingly tender moment, Rosemary approaches the bassinet that holds her child, despite the chaos surrounding her. As she begins to sing, she threads the needle of acceptance amidst the horror of her motherhood and the dark legacy she must confront.
Characters
Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow)
Rosemary is a kind-hearted and devoted wife who becomes the tragic centerpiece of the film's chilling narrative. Initially filled with naïve optimism, her character develops as she confronts isolation, manipulation, and betrayal during her pregnancy. Her evolution from innocence to a fierce determination to protect her child showcases her complexity and resilience.
Guy Woodhouse
Guy is Rosemary's ambitious husband whose desire for success drives him to make morally questionable choices. His character often represents the conflict between personal ambition and ethical integrity, creating tension within his marriage. As his ambition grows, his transformation raises profound questions about loyalty and sacrifice.
Minnie Castevet
Minnie is the seemingly friendly but ultimately sinister neighbor who befriends Rosemary. Her character embodies the deceptive nature of appearances, presenting a facade of support while concealing dark intentions. The intricacies of her character highlight the theme of manipulation and the complexity of maternal figures in Rosemary's life.
Roman Castevet
Roman is Minnie’s husband and a manipulative figure who holds significant power within the coven. His character symbolizes the malevolent force that preys on Rosemary’s vulnerability. With a mix of charm and malevolence, Roman's role is pivotal as he orchestrates the sinister plot surrounding Rosemary's pregnancy.
Setting
Time period
Fall of 1965
The story unfolds in the fall of 1965, a time marked by significant cultural and societal changes in America. This period saw shifts in gender roles and family dynamics, reflective of Rosemary's struggle between personal desires and societal expectations. Additionally, the era's fascination with the occult and the supernatural adds depth to the film’s themes.
Location
New York City, Bramford building
The film takes place in New York City, particularly within the gothic confines of the Bramford building. Known for its eerie history, the Bramford serves as a backdrop filled with dark secrets and supernatural occurrences, suggesting a rich tapestry of urban legend. The bustling nature of Manhattan contrasts sharply with the unsettling events that unfold within its walls, amplifying Rosemary's feelings of isolation.
Themes
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Motherhood
Motherhood is central to the film, as Rosemary grapples with her identity and choices amid the pressures surrounding her pregnancy. The theme explores the complexity of maternal instincts, particularly in a setting infused with dark intentions. Rosemary's journey sheds light on the sacrifices and turmoil that can accompany the experience of bringing a new life into a chaotic world.
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Paranoia
Paranoia pervades Rosemary's reality as she becomes increasingly aware of the sinister motives surrounding her. The film examines the psychological impact of feeling isolated and manipulated, shedding light on the fragility of trust. Rosemary's descent into suspicion illustrates the battle between her instinctual fears and the façade presented by those closest to her.
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Occult
The occult plays a significant role in the narrative, intertwining with themes of power and sacrifice. Rosemary’s encounters with the Castevets reveal a hidden world of dark rituals and malevolent forces, highlighting the dangers of being entangled with those who wield such power. This theme raises unsettling questions about control and the impact of collective belief in the supernatural.
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