Apartment 7A (2024) spoiler free review
Rosemary was not the first. Apartment 7A is a 2024 American psychological horror thriller film directed by Natalie Erika James and co-written by Erika James, Christian White, and Skylar James. It is the third film in the Rosemary’s Baby franchise and a prequel to Rosemary’s Baby (1968). Apartment 7A had its premiere on September 20, 2024 at Fantastic Fest, before being released simultaneously on September 27, 2024 on Paramount+ and on digital video on demand.
A struggling dancer finds herself drawn into dark forces by a peculiar couple promising her fame.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Julia Garner as Terry Gionoffrio, Dianne Wiest as Margaux “Minnie” Castevet, Kevin McNally as Roman Castevet, Jim Sturgess, Marli Siu, Rosy McEwen, Amy Leeson as Rosemary Woodhouse, Scott Hume as Guy Woodhouse, Andrew Buchan, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smit.
My Opinion
New York is the city of dreamers looking for their place in the spotlight. Terry Gionoffrio left her life in Nebraska in search of seeing her name in front of a theater. But when an injury robs her briefly of her chance, an elderly couple being too kind to her doesn’t seem unusual. Terry’s life turns upside down with dark consequences forcing the young dancer to take desperate measures.
Expanding on the story of the girl Rosemary briefly met in Bramford, Apartment 7A it’s a prequel that doesn’t quite live up to the source material. Julia Garner and Dianne Wiest’s performances keep the film afloat, saving it from being completely average. The cinematography, sets, music, and script all take the safe route instead of exploring the possibilities this story offers. The protagonist’s ending is sealed from the start, but it’s her beginning that we don’t know. Given the chance to create a prequel that can stand on its own, like The First Omen (2024) did earlier this year, it clings to the source material as if doubting itself.
For those who have seen the horror classic Rosemary’s Baby (1968) the film will be extremely predictable and boring. And even though the purpose of a prequel is to tell the beginning of what is already known, some manage to hook you even when you know the ending. Apartment 7A fails to grab the viewer by going around in circles and feeling longer than it is. The plot’s pacing and narrative become the weak link.
Is this a memorable film? No. Unfortunately, Apartment 7A is overshadowed by two releases from this year, The First Omen and Immaculate, which both feature the same premise: the birth of the antichrist. The difference lies in the execution that the first two projects handled satisfactorily.
Apartment 7A is now available on Paramount+ and VOD.