Rosemary's Baby *****
True horror, discomfort and dramatic irony of a conspiracy focused against one person. We, as spectators, are uncomfortably placed alongside Rosemary at the centre of a gruelling, terrible ordeal; slowly and gradually discovering that there really is no-one that we can trust. The horror of our position is heightened by the fact that we are on the outside looking in: hopeless, useless voyeurs reluctantly watching a satanic cult diminish Rosemary's Doris Day dream of motherhood.
The style of mise-en-scene, as well as awkwardness of performances, really captures author Ira Levin's chilling vision for the screen. Polanski's screenplay also relates to the book wonderfully, editing and removing some parts, whilst perfectly realising others. The dream sequence is the most brilliant and conceptual example of this, and possibly the defining moment of the film also, displaying Polanski's immense powers as a film-maker.
If you are seeking a jumpy, slasher-style horror, this film will not fulfil your criteria; what it will do, though, is psychologically chill and disturb you to a higher degree than any 'slasher' movie ever could.
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