Paramount+ Welcomes Apartment 7A in 2024
Apartment 7A streams on Paramount+ beginning September 27. This review is based on a screening at Fantastic Fest 2024.
Apartment 7A joins the ranks of 2024’s films centered around a young woman facing an unwelcome pregnancy by the devil, following the likes of Immaculate and The First Omen. The timeliness of this theme is unmistakable, reflecting the current state of reproductive rights in the United States. With women’s autonomy under threat and reproductive freedom in jeopardy, these films delve into themes of coercion, control, and body horror that strike a chord in today’s political climate.
While its predecessors enjoyed theatrical releases, Apartment 7A takes a different route, debuting exclusively on Paramount+. Despite its notable lineage, being a prequel to the classic Rosemary’s Baby, this film seems to hold its place amidst Immaculate and The First Omen without breaking new ground.
Exploring the Story of Apartment 7A
Apartment 7A rewinds the clock to a time before the events of Rosemary’s Baby, focusing on Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner), an aspiring Broadway star who finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Manhattan couple, Minnie and Roman Castevet. Director Natalie Erika James steers clear of overt connections to the original film, opting for a subtler approach in retelling this chilling narrative.
As Terry navigates her new living arrangement in Apartment 7A, courtesy of the Castevets, she exudes a mix of guardedness and naivety that propels her deeper into a sinister web of intrigue. The charismatic charm of Minnie and Roman, along with their eccentric neighbors, contrasts with Terry’s skepticism, setting the stage for a tension-filled storyline.
Visual Aesthetics and Symbolism
Apartment 7A oscillates between theatrical and subdued visuals, capturing Terry’s journey through vibrant stage performances and gloomy surroundings. While the film touches on themes of desperation and ambition, it falls short of fully immersing viewers in Terry’s harrowing predicament.
Unlike James’s previous work in Relic, Apartment 7A opts for restrained body horror, emphasizing choreography and dream sequences over explicit grotesqueness. The film treads lightly on metaphors, hinting at deeper themes without fully exploring them.
Reflections on Women’s Autonomy
Through Terry’s ordeal of discovering her unplanned pregnancy and the societal pressure that follows, Apartment 7A mirrors the oppressive patriarchal forces at play. The film hints at a radical stance on women’s autonomy, only to be constrained by the narrative ties to Rosemary’s Baby, leaving its commentary on Satanic liberation as mere gestures.
While Apartment 7A may fall short in its execution, its relevance in shedding light on timeless issues of women’s agency and bodily autonomy remains poignant even after half a century.