Unveiling the Twisted Finale of Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby, directed by Roman Polanski in 1968, is a classic piece of psychological horror that has captivated and unsettled audiences for decades. The film follows the newly-wed Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her husband Guy (John Cassavetes) as they move into an old apartment building and befriend their eccentric neighbors, the Castevets. As Rosemary becomes increasingly paranoid about the Castevets' involvement in the occult, she fears for the safety of herself and her unborn child, and eventually discovers that she has been manipulated by those around her. In a climactic scene, Rosemary confronts the truth about her neighbors and their satanic cult, but instead of reacting with horror, she embraces her maternal instincts and accepts her role as a mother to the child. The film ends with Rosemary rocking her baby, surrounded by satisfied cult members.

Rosemary's Baby concludes with a sense of uncertainty that lingers, leaving viewers with unsettling questions. Despite Rosemary's refusal to succumb to the forces of evil, her love for her child blurs the line between good and evil, transcending societal norms. Through her resilience and sacrifices to protect her baby, Rosemary represents the plight of women in a male-dominated society, where patriarchal influences compromise their autonomy and agency. The cult and her husband serve as symbols of manipulation and suppression that women often face.

At the start of the movie, Guy Woodhouse is a struggling small-time commercial actor, trying to make ends meet. During one scene, while Rosemary and Minnie Castevet wash the dishes, Guy and Roman have a private conversation that the audience is not privy to. This moment highlights the film's recurring themes of gender roles and the suppression of women. It is also likely the moment in which Roman initiates Guy into Satanism.

Guy seizes the opportunity of a lifetime to advance his acting career, but his behavior towards Rosemary becomes peculiar. Upon rewatching, viewers may realize that this was the moment when Guy became aware of the Castevet coven's supernatural abilities. Mesmerized by the potential advantages of aligning himself with them, Guy willingly sacrifices Rosemary for his own benefit. Even after Rosemary confronts him, Guy tries to justify his selfish actions as a means of securing their future. Rosemary's reaction of spitting in his face suggests that she has had enough of his manipulation.

Rosemary's refusal to forgive Guy does not affect her love for her son Adrian - the Antichrist. The film presents a unique perspective on maternal instincts, as Rosemary's unconditional love for her child challenges conventional notions of motherhood. Despite the sinister origins of Adrian's conception, Rosemary's instinctual bond with her child raises questions about the lengths a mother would go to protect her offspring, even in the face of a malevolent legacy.

What Does Rosemary's Baby Look Like?

The appearance of Rosemary's baby remains a haunting and mysterious aspect of the film. The audience is left without a clear glimpse of the child's features in the ending, which only adds to the suspense and unease. The director's deliberate choice heightens the sense of horror and unknown, leaving viewers with only Rosemary's horrified expression and her nerve-wracking question about the child's eyes.

The baby's face remains unseen, but viewers catch a glimpse of its father in a surreal dream sequence depicting its conception. After being drugged by her husband, Rosemary is taken to a dark room where a masculine figure with beast-like hands and reptile eyes violates her while members of the coven chant and watch. In a chilling reveal, Roman discloses that the entity is Satan himself, and the baby has "his father's eyes". The fact that the child's appearance remains undisclosed suggests that it is physically abnormal or even monstrous, reinforcing the idea that it is the product of supernatural or demonic forces. This ambiguity allows viewers to conjure up their own horrifying images, adding to the movie's overall sense of terror and unease. Rather than relying on jump scares or graphic violence, the horror of Rosemary's Baby stems from the creeping dread that builds up as Rosemary is manipulated and used.

The enigmatic conclusion of Rosemary's Baby still manages to captivate and spark debate among audiences, even after several decades since its release. By delving into the film's interpretation, exploring its themes, and addressing the mystery behind the baby's arrival, viewers can gain a greater insight into its lasting impact. This cinematic masterpiece not only challenges societal norms but also delves into the theme of loss of control and raises thought-provoking questions about the intricacies of motherhood. With its expertly crafted narrative, Rosemary's Baby remains a testament to the horror genre's timeless appeal.