Atmosphere of dread

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2009)

Like all directors of great thrillers, Roman Polanski understands that our greatest fears rest in the unknown. In "Rosemary's Baby" he preys on these fears by showcasing the mind of an uneasy young pregnant woman who has just moved into a new apartment full of kooky strangers. Everything around Rosemary appears okay on the surface, but gradually little "clues" begin to indicate that something more sinister may actually be taking place behind closed doors. Or perhaps it isn't. The scary thing is that Rosemary doesn't really know, and perhaps she can't even trust her own mind.
I have heard allusions to "Rosemary's Baby" for years, so I had some idea of what it was about, but I wasn't really prepared for this film. Most of the terror in this movie lies in what is not seen but only suspected. Rosemary's fears seem justified, but are they? The tension builds as we realize that Rosemary is completely alone and doomed in her struggle against something which is possibly unspeakably evil.
I wonder if religious and nonreligious people view this film differently. Well, as a Christian, I could accept the premise as possible and truly revolting. Days after seeing this film, certain scenes still come to mind which make me shudder.
As a movie devoid of gore but nevertheless successful in creating an atmosphere of dread, "Rosemary's Baby" is the most elegant horror film I have ever seen and one of the very best. I can't find a reason to rate it less than a 10.