"Julia Garner stars as Theresa in Apartment 7A, a prelude to Rosemary's Baby, exploring the haunting mysteries of the Bramford. Dianne Wiest shines in this visually striking but flawed thriller." (Fantastic Fest)
The story of "Rosemary's Baby" is a landmark in cinema, known for its avant-garde approach that defied typical horror tropes of its time. While there have been numerous adaptations and even TV remakes, "Apartment 7A" brings us back to the world of mystery surrounding the residents of the Bramford building. In Natalie Erika James' latest feature, we get a prelude to Rosemary’s Baby, exploring layers hinted at in the original.
The film stars Julia Garner in the key role of Theresa, also known as Terry, a dancer who suffers a career-threatening accident. She soon meets a mysterious figure and is welcomed into the fold at the Bramford. Apartment 7A is a slow, menacing film that reminds us how fragile life can be when there’s no backup plan, turning your existence into a living nightmare.
Like many Paramount releases, the look and feel of Apartment 7A resemble a dark fairytale. The Bramford building looms large, much like it did in Rosemary’s Baby. Dianne Wiest is the standout in the role of Minnie, delivering a performance that carries much of the film. However, something feels off, perhaps due to the modernized approach or the film's aesthetic updates. While Apartment 7A delves more into the dance industry of its era than the cultish themes of the original, it doesn't quite capture the same magic.
The film is ultimately let down by its narrative, focusing too much on the star power, aesthetics, and the lore of Rosemary’s Baby without offering a compelling enough story. There are too many plot holes for its runtime, and it’s a testament to Dianne Wiest’s performance that she manages to hold the film together. What’s next for the franchise? Maybe a remake or an updated concept? Audiences will demand more than just another story about a woman staying at the Bramford. The real intrigue lies with the building’s residents and their backstories, which could be the fresh angle needed.
While Apartment 7A is visually striking and worth watching for Wiest’s performance, it falls short of delivering something new.
Rating: 2.5/5
Director: Natalie Erika James (Relic)
Screenplay By: Natalie Erika James, Christian White, Skylar James
Screen Story By: Skylar James
Based On: The novel Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
Produced By: John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger p.g.a., Michael Bay, Andrew Form p.g.a.
Brad Fuller. A Platinum Dunes / Sunday Night Production, Paramount Players
Executive Produced By: Vicki Dee Rock, Alexa Ginsburg
Cast: Julia Garner (Ozark), Dianne Wiest (I Care a Lot), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean film series), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe) Marli Siu (Everything I Know About Love), Andrew Buchan (All the Money in the World), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka)
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