Rosemary

Rosemary

Year: 1958

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: German

Director: Rolf Thiele

DramaComedy

Based on true events, the film follows a young woman known as Rosemary, who rises in 1950s West Germany as the nation becomes an economic powerhouse. Ambitious and charismatic, she seduces members of the industrial elite, extracting confidential business information and passing it to French rivals. When her espionage is exposed, Rosemary discovers she cannot outmaneuver the authorities.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Rosemary (1958) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Rosemary (1958), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a basement in Frankfurt, two petty criminals, Horst Frank and Jo Herbst, recruit Rosemarie, Nadja Tiller, a pretty but penniless blonde, to be their bait for day jobs as street musicians.

When she enters the lobby of a smart hotel, hoping to pick up a businessman, she is kicked out by the concierge. She does, however, catch the eye of a group of businessmen who meet there, and one of them, Hartog, Carl Raddatz sets her up in an apartment.

While Hartog is away at an exclusive equestrian event, Rosemarie picks up Fribert, Peter van Eyck, a wealthy Frenchman who, to Hartog and his family’s horror, brings the uninvited Rosemarie to the event.

Hartog pays her off with cash, a reward that she immediately sinks into a new life, buying a flashy convertible.

Fribert’s plan is not sex but image-building: he wires her apartment so that she can coax businessmen into her bed and extract their conversations, turning Rosemarie into a vehicle for industrial espionage.

The arrangement works at first, but Rosemarie realizes she can use the tapes herself and craves recognition among the rich rather than merely sleeping with husbands for cash.

She triggers another scandal by showing up uninvited at a party attended by most of her clients and their wives, where two women are enticed by the promise of a cash payout to dive into the pool fully clothed as the other guests crowd around.

Fribert understands she is becoming a liability, and both he and his circle begin to distance themselves as she grows bolder.

One night, while the men are enjoying themselves in a nightclub with resident escorts, she arrives drunk and, back at her flat, finds the assassin waiting for her.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:21

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Ambitious Downfall Tragedies like Rosemary

Charismatic protagonists climb the ladder of power only to plummet from a fatal mistake.If you liked Rosemary's story of ambition and catastrophic downfall, you'll find similar movies here. These films follow charismatic figures who rise to power through morally questionable means, only to face a tragic and inevitable collapse. Discover other tense dramas about the high cost of social climbing and corruption.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a clear arc: a driven individual from a modest background leverages their talents (often seduction, deception, or espionage) to infiltrate a powerful world. Their ascent is thrilling but precarious, built on secrets. The story's tension builds towards a tipping point—usually a betrayal or exposure—that triggers a swift and devastating fall from grace.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the 'rise and fall' archetype, a dark tone that critiques power structures, and a steady pacing that allows for methodical character development. They deliver a specific blend of glamour, tension, and tragic inevitability.

Tense Corporate Espionage Movies like Rosemary

High-stakes thrillers where business secrets are the ultimate currency and danger.Looking for more movies like Rosemary that delve into the dangerous world of industrial espionage? This list features tense thrillers and dramas about spies who steal corporate secrets, navigating a world of power, corruption, and betrayal. Find your next watch if you enjoyed the high-stakes business intrigue and tense atmosphere of Rosemary.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a mole or informant embedded within a powerful corporation or industrial elite. The narrative is driven by the constant risk of exposure as the protagonist gathers sensitive information. Key beats include tense meetings, close calls, and the psychological strain of deception, often leading to a climax where their cover is blown with severe repercussions.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films by their specific setting and plot mechanics: the high-stakes, dangerous world of corporate and industrial spying. They share a tense, dangerous mood, a focus on power dynamics and betrayal, and a steady pacing that builds suspense around the act of espionage itself.

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Rosemary Timeline

Track the full timeline of Rosemary with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Rosemary Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rosemary

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Rosemary. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rosemary

Rosemary Spoiler-Free Summary

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