Lists
- ranked 2 in The Guardian 25 Best Horror Films Of All Time
- ranked 9 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills
- ranked 78 in Empire 500 Greatest Movies (2008)
- ranked 250 in The IMDb Top 250
- ranked 255 in They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? 1000 Greatest Films (March 2006)
- ranked 271 in They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? 1000 Greatest Films (August 2005)
- ranked 276 in They Shoot Pictures, Don't They? 1000 Greatest Films (December 2006)
- one of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
- one of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies Nominees
- one of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills Nominees
- one of Alliance of Women Film Journalists Top 100 Films
- one of Guardian 1,000 films to see before you die
- one of The New York Times Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made
Stunning psychological occult-thriller that manages to score its points without resorting to cheap twists and shocks. From very early on we suspect the truth; we slowly see it confirmed. The horror of the film is that Rosemary (Mia Farrow) doesn't: her struggles are futile, her fall ineluctable.
It gets us to the end with a great script, superb direction, low-key but extremely effective special effects -- a slimming haircut, pale makeup -- and tremendous performances from the principles. It's an excruciatingly tense ride.