Apartment 7A (2024), directed by Natalie Erika James, is a horror thriller prequel to Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby (1968), one of the most iconic horror films ever made. Fans of the original film will remember the chilling portrayal of manipulation and control over one’s body, set against the backdrop of a Manhattan apartment complex. Apartment 7A seeks to explore the backstory of Terry Gionoffrio (played by Julia Garner), a key character briefly introduced in the original film. With a promising cast and a chilling storyline, how does this film hold up against its predecessor?
Plot Overview
The plot of Apartment 7A revolves around Terry Gionoffrio, a young dancer from Nebraska with Broadway dreams. Her ambitions are cut short after a severe on-stage injury, earning her a reputation as “the girl who fell.” Desperate to resurrect her career, she flounders through failed auditions until she crosses paths with Broadway producer Alan Marchand (Jim Sturgess) and the mysterious Roman and Minnie Castevet (Kevin McNally and Dianne Wiest). The Castevets, known for their sinister intentions in Rosemary’s Baby, offer Terry a free apartment in their eerie building, Bramford, while she recovers.
However, the apartment comes with dark, invisible strings attached. As Terry unravels, her fate begins to align with forces beyond her control. Just like Rosemary’s Baby, the film thrives on a sense of inevitable dread, as Terry’s future spirals toward the unthinkable.
Characters: A Deep Dive
Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner)
Julia Garner’s portrayal of Terry Gionoffrio is the film’s highlight. She effectively embodies the innocence, naivety, and desperation of a young woman trapped in a world that is conspiring against her. The character of Terry is much more than a victim. Through Garner’s nuanced performance, Terry’s ambition, vulnerability, and strength are constantly in tension.
Roman and Minnie Castevet (Kevin McNally and Dianne Wiest)
As fans of Rosemary’s Baby will recall, the Castevets are not your average, kindly old couple. Kevin McNally’s portrayal of Roman is subdued, almost calm in his malevolent presence, while Dianne Wiest’s Minnie is a different take on Ruth Gordon’s original portrayal. Though Wiest brings her signature flair to the character, her Minnie can feel exaggerated at times, almost bordering on parody. Nevertheless, their dynamic as manipulative yet seemingly benign villains adds a rich layer of discomfort to the film.
Alan Marchand (Jim Sturgess)
Jim Sturgess brings a brooding charm to the role of Alan Marchand, a Broadway producer with hidden motives. His interactions with Terry, especially during her auditions, foreshadow the darker path her life is taking. While his character doesn’t get much screen time, his presence lingers as part of the looming dread over Terry’s fate.
Visuals and Cinematography
Visually, Apartment 7A attempts to evoke the same claustrophobic paranoia that Rosemary’s Baby achieved. However, where Polanski’s film utilized the apartment’s architecture as a character in itself, Apartment 7A feels less immersive. The Bramford building doesn’t exude the same sinister charm, and the set design lacks the rich detail that made Rosemary’s Baby so iconic.
On the other hand, the film excels in its use of lighting and close-up shots to capture Terry’s emotional isolation. The muted color palette mirrors Terry’s deteriorating mental state, while dream sequences blend reality and hallucination in unsettling ways. Director Natalie Erika James uses choreography and performance scenes to symbolize the physical and emotional toll on Terry, though this creative decision may not resonate with all viewers.
Themes and Messages
The primary theme of Apartment 7A is bodily autonomy, a motif deeply resonant in today’s sociopolitical climate. Like Rosemary’s Baby, the film explores how society manipulates and controls women’s bodies, sometimes in subtle ways, but often through overt coercion. Terry’s lack of agency, both in her career and her personal life, mirrors broader concerns about reproductive rights and the oppressive control exercised by patriarchal systems.
Another strong theme is ambition. Terry’s determination to succeed in the ruthless world of Broadway echoes through the film, underscoring the sacrifices women often make to pursue their dreams. The question becomes whether Terry’s ambition leads her into the clutches of the Castevets—or if she was ever really in control of her own fate.
Comparison with Rosemary’s Baby and Other Horror Films
In comparison to Rosemary’s Baby, Apartment 7A feels like a modest addition rather than a groundbreaking expansion. The tension and dread are present but muted, and the slow-burn pacing may test the patience of some viewers. While the original film was a deeply psychological exploration of paranoia and gaslighting, Apartment 7A lacks the same intricate narrative layers.
Comparing it to other recent films like Immaculate and The First Omen, Apartment 7A occupies a middle ground. While both Immaculate and The First Omen dive into fresh perspectives on body horror and demonic possession, Apartment 7A stays within the shadow of Rosemary’s Baby, offering little innovation to the genre. Despite this, Julia Garner’s exceptional performance elevates the film above standard prequels and sequels.
Direction and Pacing
Natalie Erika James, who previously directed Relic (2020), brings a steady hand to Apartment 7A. However, the pacing is slower than needed, and the film sometimes struggles to maintain momentum. There are moments of brilliance, particularly in the choreography scenes that visualize Terry’s descent into paranoia, but overall, the direction feels more reserved than innovative.
Final Thoughts: Is Apartment 7A Worth Watching?
Apartment 7A is not without its merits. The film provides a solid backstory for a minor character in one of horror’s greatest films, and Julia Garner’s performance alone is worth the watch. That said, it doesn’t fully capture the atmospheric terror of Rosemary’s Baby, nor does it offer the thematic depth that the story deserves.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn horror and want to explore the Rosemary’s Baby universe, Apartment 7A will be a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, addition. For casual viewers or those expecting more scares, it might fall short of expectations.
Ready to dive into the eerie world of Apartment 7A? Stream it now on Paramount+. For more films that explore the terrifying boundaries of bodily autonomy and psychological horror, check out the best horror movies of 2024. If you missed the trailer, watch it here on YouTube.
