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KnockBack, Episode 76: Rosemary's Baby

When Rosemary's Baby hit theaters in 1968, the horror genre as we know it today didn't really exist yet. The scariest flicks of the era were low budget, poorly lit, and corny beyond belief. But Roman Polanski's film helped define a shift towards the same kind of well written, expertly produced and directed psychological horror that had already found a niche on nascent TV. Written by a bohemian novelist, adapted and spearheaded for the big screen by a highly controversial director, and starring a famous actress who was then known only for her work on a soap opera, Rosemary's Baby is a horror film for the ages. But back in 1968, its religious, witchcraftian premise was utterly offensive to mainstream American sensibilities. That, of course, is part of why it's so great.

KnockBack, Episode 76: Rosemary's Baby

Comments

Just watched this movie for the first time last night after I saw your episode go live. I figured if you guys did an episode on it, it had to be worth a watch and boy howdy did it not disappoint. I'll be diving into your thoughts this weekend and I can't wait.

OhHiMike

I’m shocked there was only one question submitted about this! I gotta start making the cut offs haha

DB Cooper

Lmfao totally misrepresented what you said. I thought you were defending Christian's being offended by the movie. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone knowing your thoughts on on religion as a whole. I can never understand how something like that could be controversial. Just shows how indoctrinated you can become. Also, I may be wrong but when you guys were talking about cults I'm pretty sure satanic cults are and always have been a myth. In terms of like human sacrafice and shit like that. Maybe this movie was so controversial because wasent it released around the time the FBI was sweeping the nation to uncover the truth about satanic cults and their supposed involvement with murders? That might have been the 80s though. Satanic Panic I believe it was called.

Brett Carlson

Do it while Rosemary is still fresh. Let us know what you think after watching them so close!

TODD HUNT

Well, we have no state religion, but most religious observers in the US are indeed Christian. I don't understand being offended by this sort of thing, but it makes sense that it was quite controversial at the time.

Colin Moriarty

I haven't seen that movie in 20+ years. I'll have to watch again.

Colin Moriarty

Very interesting.

Colin Moriarty

Saying America is Christian just doesnt make sense. Its 2019. Theres 100s of religions. It's not real. So for people who worship a science fiction novel to be offended by any and everything is ridiculous. You can practice your beliefs in the privacy of your home and in places of worship. Owning a bakery and denying gay people has nothing to do with religion. That's idiotic. Your not going to serve gay people WHO ARE HUMANS like the rest of us, because some semi-literate peasants by today's standards decided to make up a doctrine in order to keep people in line said so? Makes no sense. There is no omni-present entity bringing down smite on gay human beings. Its offensive that religious people believe that those of us who dont believe are somehow sinful. I can prove to you the earth is round. The day someone can prove to me the Bible is a historically accurate peice of work is the day religious people can be offended by anything. How about the Old Testament. Funny how churches just chucked that out and pretend they only worship the new testament because the Old one said to murder your neighbors and 100s of other ungodly acts.

Brett Carlson

So sorry I missed commenting on this prior to the chat. I was waiting for you to comment on the influence of Rosemarys Baby on The Devils Advocate! It is, at moments, a note for note inspiration to that movie. Bummer you couldn’t discuss !

TODD HUNT

EA actually let RESPAWN use Unreal 4 to make Jedi Fallen Order! Crazy! Good for them tho.

Camron Duncan

Once upon a time was fantastic! Rosemary’s Baby is very voyeuristic, like you’re watching this horrific scenario play out in real life. It’s more of a paranoia induced horror experience than a good movie.

Gurnico

Enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

So good. =)

Colin Moriarty

Not a bad idea. =)

Colin Moriarty

I love episodes like this. Hopefully we can get an episode like this the week of Halloween. Make it happen!

John Fazio

Even now this movie is legit disturbing in the best ways, just finished Once Upon a Time in HW can't wait to listen.

David Kramme

This is such a wild movie. The imagery they used and the final scene have always stuck with me! Hail Stan!

Collin Sparling

Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it.

Colin Moriarty

Hey Ryan! Just keep an eye out for a thread that goes live for all $2+/month subs every 8-10 weeks. It'll announce the next wave of topics, and solicit inquiries. That's where everything read on the show comes from!

Colin Moriarty

Just watched this movie so I could listen to this episode lol. Great movie

Tanner Brant

You guys said that you only had one person write in, I don't remember seeing anything about this episode being inbound. Where exactly does that information post?. I am probably just missing something obvious here.

Ryan Murdoch

Yeah, this is true... What a great movie to ponder!

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

Awesome episode! Just my theory on Terry dying - shortly after moving into the apartment, Rosemary wakes up after a strange dream that seemed to be triggered by her hearing the witches performing the ritual on Terry on the other side of their bedroom wall. This makes me think they impregnated Terry, and shortly after, she killed herself in response. Terry even states to Rosemary in the laundry room she thought at first the couple just wanted her to move in for "some weird sex thing".

Derek Stuchlik

Man I love the film parts of Knockback, it's so much fun. Now I'm a huge film buff but I honestly didn't have any inquiries for this discussion nor did I want to force anything. But nonetheless great episode and I'm glad this wasn't a dream and truly happening😏

Marcus Brown

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Great work boys.

Dre Rams

Stop slacking.

Colin Moriarty

LOL.

Colin Moriarty

Dude, watch it!!!

Colin Moriarty

I'll look into it! Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

I like Tarantino, yeah. Some of his flicks I like a lot more than others, for sure. But generally, a very talented guy!

Colin Moriarty

Maybe you should watch it again and see!

Colin Moriarty

I can’t believe I missed the question post for this. This movie is absolutely incredible and seeing it was definitely a formative moment for me as a horror fan. You picked a great week to post it since Polanski is a minor character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood!

Jimmy Champane

Dag right off the bat me and my brother had pet Skinks as kids ! They were cool !

Anthony Longo

I listened to this without watching the film because I can’t handle scary movies. Sounds good though.

Nathan R

Hey Colin loved this episode I’m a huge horror fan. Since you enjoyed Rosemary so much I highly recommend Rob Zombies modern reimagining of it The Lords of Salem. Its heavily inspired by rosemary and it’s a very good psychological horror gem

Jordan DeBeaux

Colin, by mere coincidence you outdid yourself a bit with the timing of Tarantino's new film dropping today. Due to this, I have to ask; Are you a big fan of Tarantino's films? I've been a die hard Tarantino fan since my friend showed me Pulp Fiction in early High School and I loved Once Upon A Time, although it may not be his best, it's still great. If you guys are fans of him, I'd love to see Knockback dive into his most iconic films :) P.S. Keep up the great work, love listening to your podcasts every week.

Rob Rein

Well there it is, then.

Colin Moriarty

I wish we were that smart.

Colin Moriarty

Your friend has no taste. =D

Colin Moriarty

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

Colin Moriarty

I just watched The Witch, and Hereditary is next on my list!

Colin Moriarty

Also Colin notes that he’s not sure if the film is available on blu-Ray. It is via the criterion collection

Kevin Theal

Great episode! New conspiracy theory! Colin and Dagan planed this episode to coincide with the release of Tarantino’s new film that came out today which features Sharon Tate, a cameo by Polanski, and the Manson family

Kevin Theal

I do have a funny story however. In high school, my best friend watched this, he is also a horror movie buff. He hated it. HATED IT. Such was his hatred for it, that we had a bonfire JUST so he could burn the dvd. (Not copy burn, he literally burned it.) We roasted weenies while watching it burn in the flames. He's since watched it again and has a new appreciation for it.

Nate McKinney

I meant to get a question in on this. As a self professed horror aficionado, I am shamed.

Nate McKinney

What a fucking sinister movie. I went ahead and watched it pretty much immediately upon your recommendation and it's so very ahead of its time. It has also become extremely clear to me where Hereditary got a lot of its inspiration. Also, I have never seen pregnancy/motherhood portrayed quite like this anywhere. I can only imagine the sheer terror and loss of agency that some women must feel when they become pregnant.

Michal Dudic

Well then... it's about time. =)

Colin Moriarty

!!!

Colin Moriarty

Hope you enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Just FYI, Manson did die in prison a couple of years ago :) (November 2017)

Britton Dowers

Been waiting for this one, hell yeah!

DB Cooper

Thats so weird, I was just writing an article about this film this morning for the cinema magazine I work for! Excited to listen.

Leo Maniscalchi

Yeeeees finally!

Daniel Rivas


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