Fantastic Fest 2024 review: Apartment 7A delivers a devilish atmosphere, yet skips on the scares
As a seasoned gamer who’s seen more movies than I’ve racked up high scores on retro arcade games, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about yet another prequel to an iconic horror film like Rosemary’s Baby. However, Apartment 7A managed to surprise me in ways I didn’t expect.
During Fantastic Fest, I had the good fortune of watching a showing of “Apartment 7A”, which serves as a prequel to the iconic 1968 horror movie “Rosemary’s Baby”. The creators behind this prequel expressed their desire to extend the universe of the original film and share additional tales about the Bramford apartment building, where the initial story unfolded.
Initially, I must admit, I found it puzzling that they were creating a cinematic universe based on the initial movie. Yet, I was delightfully impressed by their narrative approach. It’s worth mentioning that I haven’t had the chance to watch the original ‘Rosemary’s Baby’. Watching this film with limited knowledge of the original story gave me a distinctive perspective, almost like experiencing it for the first time.
7A Apartment becomes the residence for Terry (played by Julia Garner), a dancer injured severely who requires temporary shelter. As fate would have it, Terry encounters a kind elderly duo who help her out and offer an apartment at The Bramford as her new home. However, Terry’s tranquil life is soon disrupted when she gets entangled in mysterious occult events and violent incidents. This chilling tale is skillfully directed by Natalie Erika James, co-written by Christian White, Skylar James, and Natalie Erika James, with John Krasinski serving as the producer.
The movie features Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Kevin McNally, and Jim Sturgess in its starring roles, and the ensemble gives satisfactory performances across the board. However, it’s Julia Garner who truly shines, effortlessly transitioning between the exhilarating heights of her character’s acting ambitions and the chilling anticipation of impending evil that seems to be drawing nearer and nearer. Dianne Wiest impresses as Minnie Castevet, one of Terry’s neighbors, skillfully portraying her as both kind and nurturing, yet subtly menacing at times, even downright threatening in certain scenes.
One unexpected aspect I appreciated about the movie was its compelling script. Given that it’s a prequel to a renowned horror film, one might expect a confined narrative due to the established storyline. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and pace of the plot. The script also echoes the social commentary of the original, focusing on women’s independence and pro-choice values. However, what sets Apartment 7A apart is its fresh perspective, delving into women’s struggles in show business, a field notorious for its complex relationship with gender issues. This is particularly evident through the characterization of a character who bears a striking resemblance to a young Roman Polanski.
The film, “Apartment 7A,” thrives on its eerie ambiance, although it may not deliver the expected number of scary moments. From the spooky apartment corridors to the basement laundry room, the makeup room, and even Terry’s theater, the setting manages to send shivers down one’s spine. Despite some shortcomings in delivering actual scares, the film’s potential was almost realized thanks to strong performances and a compelling atmosphere. Despite its flaws, “Apartment 7A” kept me hooked for its full 1 hour and 44 minutes.
All things considered, Apartment 7A surpasses anticipations, despite the long shadow cast by its esteemed predecessor, which somewhat restricts its storytelling potential. With exceptional acting and an eerie ambiance, Apartment 7A provides a pleasantly chilling viewing experience on streaming platforms, although it has the opportunity to delve deeper into its narrative.
Apartment 7A is available to stream on Paramount+ now and also to purchase digitally.
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2024-09-27 20:25