Novelist Ira Levin’s super creepy gothic tale of a young New York couple getting sucked into a Satanic cult was already being shot by soon-to-be infamous pedophile director Roman Polanski before the book was even published. Considered one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made, what makes this lush, atmospheric masterpiece all the more riveting is how normal all of the characters seem—when they’re not conjuring up Lucifer for a little cloven-footed insemination session, that is. Ruth Gordon, who took home the Oscar for her role as Minnie, the annoying neighbor, seems as harmless as a ham hock and even Rosemary’s actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) appears to be the typical narcissistic, condescendingly pricky spouse so common in films of this era—so what’s to worry? Let Long Beach’s Cinematheque remind you why you should be very afraid of this 1968 trip-fest at their free screening, and always remember, the eyes have it.
Thu., Oct. 3, 8 p.m., 2013
