The Apartment Trilogy

Apartment Trilogy



Honestly, Polanski’s opus includes some of the most profound essays ever put to film regarding human isolation, confinement, and just how helpless we can actually be.
Setting the action symbolically within the confines of a single room became this director's absolute trademark and his most recognizable stylistic calling card.
By exploring the depths of human pathology, the Apartment Trilogy has firmly cemented its place within the cinematic canon.

The Apartment Trilogy consists of: Repulsion (1965), Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Tenant (1976).



One of his most standout films is the psychological thriller/horror masterpiece "Repulsion," where Cate Blanchett plays a young woman living in New York City with her sister.
Once her sister heads off on a trip with a guy, Carola (Deneuve) starts acting increasingly strange—she always seemed a bit too shy and awkward around men—and eventually begins spiraling while locking herself away in her apartment where...

Then you have probably his most famous work, "Rosemary's Baby," which follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a pregnant woman who grows terrified that her husband (played by John Cassavetes, that huge icon of American indie cinema) has actually promised their unborn child to the neighbors after they move into Bramford, all so they can use the baby for their occult rituals.
It’s such a dark, heavy, and deeply unsettling piece of filmmaking, but "Rosemary's Baby" is considered a total cult classic today—a true cinematic staple—and if you ask me, I think it’s an absolute masterpiece and easily one of the greatest horror movies ever made.

Finally, The Tenant was filmed in France and is widely regarded as the third installment of the Apartment Trilogy.

Honestly, Rosemary's Baby (1968) is just on another level for me—it blows the first one out of the water and totally crushes the third one by a mile.

Here’s how I’d rank them: Repulsion (1965) gets a solid 9/10, Rosemary's Baby (1968) is a perfect 10/10, and The Tenant (1976) sits at an 8/10.

But seriously, the whole Apartment Trilogy is just phenomenal, easily one of the greatest runs in cinema history. I’m actually planning a full rewatch right now because there’s just something so incredibly special about experiencing these three films back-to-back, whether you do a marathon in a single day or spread them out over three nights.
I've only ever done a deep dive once before, where I watched one each night for three days, but this time? This time I'm going for the full binge and watching them all in one go!

Since I can't quite put my finger on it, there isn't anything inherently wrong with the film—everything is technically right where it should be—but for some reason I just can't seem to connect with 🙂

Besides, now that we have Carnage (2011) in the mix, we might as well just start calling this a quartet! 🙂

So, I’m seeing three votes for the second movie in the Rosemary's Baby trilogy... which, hey, fair enough! It wasn't exactly a shocker, but seriously, what do you guys think about the third one? Personally, I feel like it's the weakest link in the whole series, even if it's still a damn good watch for me—though I know a lot of people aren't really feeling it.

If I had to rate the entire trilogy as a whole, I’d easily give it a solid 9/10.

@Patrick Martin/">@@Patrick Martin, brightseal3, OGM and Iai—I see you guys all cast your votes, but you didn't even bother to drop a single little comment? 🤷

What can I even say? It’s all pretty much common knowledge at this point. These are absolute masterpieces. Total must-sees for anyone who actually lives for horror.

Out of those three, Rosemary's Baby is definitely my favorite and the most iconic one by far, though if we're talking about his entire body of work, I’d have to say The Pianist is his absolute best... I’m not quite sure what else to add to that, really! I found Repulsion to be a bit too slow-paced for my taste, whereas I actually enjoyed The Tenant, even if I do think it’s definitely not a movie for everyone.

Patrick Martin said:I mean, what is there even to say? We all know the deal. It's an absolute masterpiece. A total must-see for anyone who actually lives for horror.

You've got a point that everyone knows the story, but honestly, isn't it always worth watching it again?😁

brightseal3 said:Out of those three, Rosemary's Baby is definitely my favorite and the most iconic, though if we're talking about Roman Polanski in general, I'd have to go with The Pianist... I'm not sure what else to add, really. Repulsion feels a bit too slow for me, whereas The Tenant is actually pretty good, but I still feel like that one isn't for everyone...

Yeah, Repulsion is definitely a slower burn, but personally, I don't see that as a flaw at all—if anything, it's a huge plus! But hey, to each their own, right? If you find it slow, that's your call, but for me, that pacing is exactly what makes it work.

Some people might even find Rosemary's Baby a bit sluggish or even boring, but I've always loved that quality in movies. Take The Shining, for example; I love how they don't just shove everything in your face, but instead let the plot unfold at this steady, creeping pace.