Year: 1968
Runtime: 137 min
Director: Roman Polanski
A woman uncovers a disturbing family history, revealing a dark and sinister lineage connected to demonic forces. As she investigates her heritage, she finds the boundaries between morality and evil becoming increasingly indistinct, and must confront a legacy that endangers her very existence.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Rosemary's Baby (1968), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
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.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 14:53
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where a seemingly safe environment conceals a sinister, conspiratorial truth.If you enjoyed the suffocating dread and gaslighting in Rosemary's Baby, these films feature similar stories of characters trapped in deceptive environments. Discover more movies about domestic unraveling, psychological manipulation, and hidden conspiracies that prey on isolation and trust.
These narratives typically follow a character, often a woman, who begins to suspect a malevolent force at work within their home or immediate community. Their concerns are dismissed as paranoia by those closest to them, leading to a solitary investigation that confirms their worst fears while stripping away their support system.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on psychological horror rooted in betrayal, gaslighting, and the violation of domestic safety. They create a coherent vibe of claustrophobic unease by placing relatable fears about trust and safety at the center of a slow-burning conspiracy.
Methodical thrillers where ancient evil operates unseen in the modern world.For viewers who liked the satanic cult themes and methodical reveal in Rosemary's Baby, this section features films with similar slow-burn occult conspiracies. Find more movies about hidden societies, ancient evil in modern settings, and stories where the horror is in the deliberate, unfolding plan.
The narrative pattern involves a slow, deliberate revelation of a supernatural conspiracy, often led by a coven or secret society. The plot is linear but complex, requiring the audience to interpret subtle clues alongside the protagonist. The climax is typically not an action-filled confrontation, but a horrifying realization and moral capitulation to an inescapable fate.
These films are united by their pacing and thematic focus. They share a steady, unhurried rhythm that prioritizes atmospheric dread over jump scares, and a plot structure centered on uncovering a meticulously planned supernatural scheme that targets the protagonist directly.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Rosemary's Baby in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Rosemary's Baby is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Rosemary's Baby with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Rosemary's Baby. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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