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This classic horror film has been on my watchlist for years. Directed, unfortunately, by the controversial Roman Polanski, and based on the book by Ira Levin, which was published the year before, and became the best selling horror novel of the decade, this film has a reputation for its disturbing nature, but also for its immense quality. I was certainly hoping it would be worth it, either way.

The aesthetics of the film were classically 60's, but, combined with some intriguing camerawork, created a quietly unnerving environment for the story. There was the odd bit of janky camerawork, but the majority of it was consumately solid. I thought the soundtrack complimented the effect quite well, particularly in the second half of the film, where the events taking place grow ever more horrifying.

The narrative was intensely disturbing, and curated a sinister sense of inevitability to the horrors unfolding that was hard to stomach, at times. Some of the scenes towards the end of the film were so tense I was legitimately holding my breath. The ending took me a little mulling over, as to whether or not it was an anticlimax, but, ultimately, I think it worked.

Mia Farrow's leading performance was immaculate. Her emotive facial expressions and visceral outcries were extremely effective in translating her character's emotions. I thought that almost all of her reactions felt believable and understandable, which, in turn, allowed the film to feel more believable. Her horror became the audience's horror with such ease, such was the quality of her acting.

Iconic filmmaker John Cassavetes also gave a very strong performance, in the film's other major role. He was effortlessly charismatic, smooth and mysterious. He had an alluring presence to him, which really worked brilliantly for his role. I also thought that the pair of Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer worked very well together, and provided a couple of uncanny valley characters that really elevated the discomfort and suspense of the film.

Overall, I think it really is a shame that this was directed by such a heinous man, because it is a terrific horror film. It has an innate dread that flows through that is so profound. It must have been even more terrifying in 1968, considering the social climate at the time. It's one of, if not the, original "immaculate conception" horror films, and it certainly set the bar very high.