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Rosemary's Baby (film)

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 American psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski and based on Ira Levin's 1967 novel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 American psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski and based on Ira Levin's 1967 novel. It stars Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse, a young woman in New York City whose pregnancy leads her to suspect a sinister conspiracy around her and her baby. The film is widely regarded as a landmark of horror cinema.

Plot

The film centres on Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into an older New York apartment building and become involved with their eccentric neighbours. Rosemary becomes increasingly convinced that people around her are connected to a sinister plot involving her unborn child.

Production and adaptation

Rosemary's Baby is based on Ira Levin's best-selling novel and was written and directed by Roman Polanski. It was Polanski's first American film.

Reception and legacy

The film received broad critical recognition and is frequently described as a landmark horror film. Sources note its influence on later occult and psychological horror films.

Cast

The principal cast includes Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Patsy Kelly, Angela Dorian, and Charles Grodin in his feature film debut.

Key facts

  • The film is an adaptation of Ira Levin's 1967 novel.
  • Mia Farrow plays Rosemary Woodhouse, the central character.
  • The story follows a young married couple living in Manhattan and Rosemary's growing suspicion that a satanic conspiracy surrounds her pregnancy.
  • The film was Roman Polanski's first American production.
  • It is considered a landmark in horror for its psychological style and occult themes.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely distributed and studied in Canada as an influential work of horror cinema, but it has no specific Canadian production or subject matter connection in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Rosemary's Baby?
Roman Polanski directed and co-wrote the film.
What is Rosemary's Baby based on?
It is based on Ira Levin's 1967 novel of the same name.
Who stars as Rosemary Woodhouse?
Mia Farrow plays Rosemary Woodhouse.
What kind of film is Rosemary's Baby?
It is a 1968 American psychological horror film with occult themes.
Why is the film notable?
It is widely described as a landmark horror film for its focus on psychological tension and its influence on the genre.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemary's_Baby_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, and source novel.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Rosemarys-Baby-film-1968
    Supports: Release year, director, first American production, plot premise, and horror landmark status.
  3. EBSCO Research Startershttps://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/rosemarys-baby-film
    Supports: Plot summary, themes, and influence on horror filmmaking.
  4. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rosemarys_baby
    Supports: Director, producer, rating, runtime, release date, genre, language, and synopsis.
  5. RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rosemarys-baby-1968
    Supports: Critical description and tonal assessment of the film.