4. ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968)

Right off the bat, we must warn you that this is not a horror movie. There's no blood, and there aren't any insane killers running around with butcher knives. Rather, this is a completely psychological thriller, the kind where the protagonist is trying to figure out if she's crazy or not. But now that you know what you're getting into, you'll see what a powerful piece of filmmaking Rosemary's Baby is.

The film is also important because it was one of the first to bring the concept of cults and Satanism into mainstream America. Mia Farrow (pre-Woody) is Rosemary, who is moving into a new apartment with her actor/husband Guy (John Cassavetes). Rosemary and Guy's new next door neighbors are old and a little weird, but they seem harmless. But these old fogeys start to pay a little too much attention to Rosemary, and when she becomes pregnant, she fears that they're trying to do something to her baby.

The bulk of the plot revolves around whether Rosemary is just paranoid, whether the next door neighbors belong to some dark religion, and if there is a massive city-wide conspiracy to harm her unborn child. And no one could play the role of Rosemary better than Mama Mia. With her tiny voice and expressive eyes, Farrow holds your attention on the screen.

Just when you think you have it figured out, the story takes a turn in the opposite direction, proving your original theory wrong. The final level of suspense comes from the fact that Rosemary is not trying to save herself, but her baby (go maternal instinct!). What happens at the end? All we can tell you is this: the movie completely follows up on its ideas. It doesn't sugarcoat or sell out, which is why it shocked audiences in 1968, and why it's still such a powerful ending today.

Notes:

  • Nominated for 2 Academy Awards (Screenplay and Supporting Actress)

  • Won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (for Ruth Gordon, who plays Minnie Castevet, the old lady next door)

  • While shooting, Mia Farrow divorced Frank Sinatra

  • The lullaby that Rosemary sings at the beginning and end of the film (actually sung by Mia) hit #11 on the Billboard chart