October Challenge: Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby (Roman Polanski, 1968)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=7, P=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Thriller, Paranoia, Witchcraft, Cult, Slow-paced, Intense Character

I usually can't handle watching films about psychologically abused characters, but Rosemary's Baby is so well-crafted and Mia Farrow's performance is so effortless. It is one of the best thrillers ever made, in my opinion, because the audience sympathizes so strongly with Rosemary and wants so desperately for her to fight back or win. But the brilliance of Polanski is that Rosemary doesn't (not really) and the ending is left ambiguous. While I can't say I'll watch it again in the near future, I can say this film stays with you. Haunting, Nerve-wracking, Thrilling.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

SPECIAL: October Thriller Challenge

October is here and Halloween and horror movies are popping up on TV and on DVD shelves. My plan is to watch 10 classic thrillers, some I've seen bits of long ago, some that are new to me. All are critically acclaimed and exciting in their own unique way. Here, I've anticipated what I think I'll rate each. We'll see how well I predicted.

1. Jaws (1975)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

2. Alien (1979)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ

3. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=4 Average OJ

4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

5. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=5 Average OJ

6. The Fugitive (1993)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=4, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

7. Bullitt (1968)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=4, P=2 Thanks But No Thanks

8. Notorious (1946)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=5 Average OJ

9. Marathon Man (1976)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ

10. Wait Until Dark (1967)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ