Rosemary's Baby

Macabre, brooding and deeply haunting, Roman Polanski’s first Hollywood feature works on multiple levels – as a supernatural thriller, as a psychological study, and as a malevolent fairy tale of modern life. Permeated with an eerie sense of humour, this disturbing story about a woman who believes herself impregnated by the Devil is an indelible portrait of the domestic female in extremis, a victim of cult worship and marital betrayal. Its brilliance lies in Polanski’s direction in the blurring of reality and nightmare, immersing us in the intricate ambiguity of sexual politics, patriarchal manipulation, and urban alienation. The overt antagonism between actor Cassavetes (whose own film Faces coming out the same year) and director Polanski heightens the dramatic tension, making the diabolical vibe all the more unnerving.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress