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Zoe Saldaña has an undeniable knack for selecting captivating projects, both on the big and small screens. From her role in the galactic adventures of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” to the intense drama of “Special Ops: Lioness,” Saldaña ensures audiences are never bored. Among her intriguing yet often overlooked works is the 2014 miniseries “Rosemary’s Baby,” a reinterpretation of Ira Levin’s 1967 horror novel.
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The film world is no stranger to the 1968 cinematic version of “Rosemary’s Baby,” directed by Roman Polanski, with Mia Farrow in the titular role of Rosemary Woodhouse. This adaptation is hailed as a near-perfect horror classic. Fast forward to 2014, where Agnieszka Holland brings a fresh take to the story in a two-part miniseries for NBC. In this modern retelling, Saldaña assumes the role of Rosemary, with “Suits” star Patrick J. Adams playing her husband, Guy. The narrative follows the couple as they relocate to Paris after a miscarriage, seeking a fresh start. Their lives take a sinister turn upon meeting the enigmatic Roman (played by Jason Isaacs) and Margaux Castevet (Carole Bouquet), who quickly become overly involved in their affairs.
A notable shift in the miniseries is its change of setting from New York to Paris. While this decision might ruffle feathers among purists of the original, it cleverly amplifies the suspense, making Rosemary and Guy’s vulnerability to the Castevets’ manipulations more plausible in an unfamiliar city.
Despite the 1968 film’s critical acclaim, the 2014 miniseries didn’t enjoy the same fate. Its lukewarm reception is mirrored in its fading presence in popular discussions today. According to Metacritic and other reviews, it failed to match its predecessor’s impact.
Brian Tallerico of RogertEbert.com was among the critics who voiced disappointment, arguing that the essence of Levin’s novel and Polanski’s film was lost. He noted, “The very core of Levin’s book and Polanski’s film has been gutted, taking a story about common fears — the apartment next door, the husband you don’t really know, the baby set to change your life — and making it into a cut-rate Satanic cult piece.” Audiences echoed this sentiment, reflected in a mere 33% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many asserting that the original film remains superior.
Zoe Saldaña’s Rosemary’s Baby didn’t delight critics and viewers
NBC
Adding to the miniseries’ woes, it fell short in ratings for NBC, cementing its status as a project that didn’t quite hit the mark. However, it could have been worse, as it narrowly avoids being branded as the absolute worst horror remake by Reddit users. Still, this offers a small consolation to those involved in its creation.
Reviewer Brian Tallerico from RogertEbert.com criticized the miniseries’ approach, writing, “The very core of Levin’s book and Polanski’s film has been gutted, taking a story about common fears — the apartment next door, the husband you don’t really know, the baby set to change your life — and making it into a cut-rate Satanic cult piece.” The viewers weren’t convinced either, as “Rosemary’s Baby” holds only a 33% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many echoing Tallerico’s sentiment that the movie is infinitely better.
It also didn’t help that the miniseries turned out to be a ratings disappointment for NBC too, confirming the age-old wisdom that when it rains, it pours. Well, at least it doesn’t hold the dishonor of being the horror remake that Reddit calls the absolute worst, so there’s that kindness for everyone involved.
