MovieChat Forums > Rosemary's Baby (1968) Discussion > What's the catch?

What's the catch?

posted 8 years ago by fountaincap
16 replies | jump to latest

This question isn't just for Rosemary's Baby but also for any works of fiction that feature deals with the Devil. I've always wondered, what's the catch when you make deals with him? Usually, the trade is you "sell your soul" for earthly wealth and power.

But then what? When your mortal body dies, you have to burn in Hell for all eternity? That's a sh*t deal! So how does Satan actually convince people like the Castevets without them concluding, "Hey, wait a minute - eternity is much longer than my life on Earth. I think I'm getting ripped off". Or are these characters supposed to believe that Satan is just as powerful as God and that they'll be given a favorable position (i.e., not burn for eternity) at his side?

[–] fiatlux-1 8 years ago

Or are these characters supposed to believe that Satan is just as powerful as God and that they'll be given a favorable position (i.e., not burn for eternity) at his side?

This is what I, in my opinion, think the *draw* is.
That by worshipping Satan, you become "spared".

I also feel that when humans make a deal, some might just not 'care' as much or give thought to the Afterlife much. They're all about instant gratification.
That seems to be the deal with Guy Woodhouse. He is willing to give, literally, near-everything to the Devil for an acting career. He gives his wife, his soul, destroys a man's sight & Ro's friend.....and helps unleash the Antichrist to the Earth!

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] AmyJolamb 8 years ago

As a Christian the way I see it isn't these people are looking at their life now. Not after life. Just like with Devils Advocate they want the rich life and want it come easy. Their mind isn't on what happens when they die.

I mean think of it this way. As a Christian the Bible says clearly our walk with God won't be easy. Look at all the hate His followed get. Even Jesus's disciples were killed!

So what is the easier choice? Money, fame and attention or hate, threats of death and as it happened with Peter get curisifed upside down.

My pastor recently said once you accept Jesus as your savior you can bet the Devil was work harder to get you away from God. Before you accept God it's not much of a fight.

So in the end most people rather take the easy path.

[–] rascal67 8 years ago

Go blather your nonsensical and deluded Christian rhetoric elsewhere. You live your life for the afterlife, rather than the here and now and that is denying life and your purpose, thinking you can take the easy way out just by believing in Christ. You are shallow and simpleminded and your sociopathic mentally ill pastor just loves sheep like you.

Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪

[–] zinabaggins 8 years ago

Or you could relax and try not to insult people...

[–] Tabbycat (878) 4 years ago

^this

[–] cookiela2001 8 years ago

Go blather your nonsensical and deluded Christian rhetoric elsewhere.

Yeah!

"Shut up with your 'oh gods' or we'll kill'ya...milk or no milk!"

.

[–] tenantennae 8 years ago

Or are these characters supposed to believe that Satan is just as powerful as God and that they'll be given a favorable position (i.e., not burn for eternity) at his side?

Something like that. They believe, as Roman puts it, "God is dead! Satan lives!"

[–] ginger-51 8 years ago

Can't really answer your question because I've never made a deal with the devil...but your question reminds me of one of my favorite movies of all time: Highway 61. There's a character in that film who is the devil and is out making deals for souls, and he comes across an alcoholic man who says something like "wait, so you're telling me that if I sell you my soul, you'll give me that half-bottle of booze right now?" (devil says yes) The man asks "So what's the catch??" Next scene, he's drinking the booze.

It's a pretty funny movie. hard to find these days though.

[–] vfx_girl 8 years ago

But then what? When your mortal body dies, you have to burn in Hell for all eternity? That's a sh*t deal!

This is my favourite question on the board by far!

In every "satan deal" film this is always the part that I've never understood either. Maybe if these people had read that book that Trump "wrote" (Art Of The Deal - or whatever it was called) they would have realized that they were being ripped off........ BAAHAHAH!!!

[–] stevekaczynski 8 years ago

In Doctor Faustus, the title character sells his soul and then says he thinks hell is a fable. Mephistopheles replies, "Ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind."

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

My view is that people are so caught up in their desires for wealth, fame, career moves that they don't care how they get it, as long as they get it. Their attitude is that they'll worry about that later or that later will never come. Sadly, it does come, rather sooner than later.

[–] SteveG (1370) 5 years ago

Agreed and also it is usually a "soft" deal... think going to hell in a hand-basket. I am sure on paper it appears greatly one sided to the acceptee, but like any contract the devil is in the details.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I also believe that those who choose to follow Satan will be spared the burning, etc because they came to him willingly. And, like what someone else pointed out, these same people believe they will be given some kind of power or position but learn that Satan has nor does he want aids, he has demons for that.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21516) 4 years ago

“Satan has nor does he want aids”

I’ve never thought about that before.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

LOL, not exactly what I applied, LOL, but your comment was funny as hell (no pun intended -- ouch- hope there's not an old man and woman knocking on my door wanting to invite me to dinner).

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21516) 4 years ago

LMAO