Rosemary's Baby Quotes
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Speaker: Rosemary Woodhouse
This is no dream! This is really happening!
Context
This line is spoken by Rosemary Woodhouse, played by Mia Farrow in the film Rosemary's Baby, directed by Roman Polanski (1968).
Rosemary's Baby is one of those horror movies that's genuinely scary because it's all about real fears. Rosemary and her new husband move into an old apartment building with nosy, overly helpful neighbors. Soon after they move in, Rosemary finds out she's pregnant. But who are those nosy neighbors, and what are they doing at night? And what's up with her strange pregnancy, anyway?
Well, in this case, turns out it's good to be paranoid, because those nosy neighbors are not okay. Without spoiling the movie, let's just say that they have plans for that little devil of a baby.
Before the movie's big reveal, things start to get creepier and creepier. One day, Rosemary's neighbor Minnie stops by the apartment with some chocolate mousse that she mispronounces "mouse." Rosemary detects a funky taste and feels faint after a few bites. Her husband puts her to bed and urges her to sleep, and then Rosemary has one of the scariest dreams ever. In the dream, she's being tied down with a hideous creature looming over her. That's when Rosemary screams, "This is no dream! This is really happening!"
Here's a creepy real-life fact: this movie was filmed in an apartment building referred to as "The Bramford." The building's real name is "The Dakota," where former Beatle John Lennon lived and was tragically shot to death in 1980.
Where you've heard it
You may have heard a version of it on Oscar night during those memorable acceptance speeches. Perhaps you heard it on your family vacation as you walked into the Magic Kingdom for the first time. But let's not forget that big day when you got handed the keys to the car and you said it to yourself. But remember, the original quote isn't very fun or happy!
Additional Notable References
- The making of the movie.
- Interview with the director.
- The unbelievably spooky soundtrack includes a haunting lullaby sung by the movie's star, Mia Farrow.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Save this OMG line for those Kodak moments like graduation or prom night. But be warned, if your audience knows this movie, they might think you're having a horrifying time.