Apartment 7A (2024)
Why make a prequel to Rosemary's Baby, when you can just make the movie again?
Rosemary’s Baby is considered one of the greatest horror films of all-time, because the level of suspense continues to racket up, with almost every single second. It’s a movie that still holds up and even despite the Polanski name being attached to it, it still finds itself among legendary status - kind of the rare horror movie that just about everyone knows and gets the reference to, even if people have never seen said movie. And it should come as to no surprise that Hollywood would try their absolute best to try and not just recreate that magic, but recreate the same kind of movie that has everyone buzzing and talking about it again.
So why not just remake it, apparently?
And that’s pretty much what Apartment 7A is - a remake of Rosemary’s Baby. You would think that the same formula would work twice, but in this case, with director Natalie Erika James, it doesn’t quite hit again. The movie looks great and you can tell that Erika James is taking total advantage of the 60’s setting, but there’s just not much of a story behind all the visuals; the fact that the main character is an aspiring stage actress brings some intrigue, but allows most of the film to seem half-baked in its presentation of someone who is truly tarnished by these supposed-satanists.
Julia Garner herself seems to be relishing in the role, but she can’t do much to help an already-dull character, who spends most of the movie looking scared and occasionally pulling-off the occasional dance move. Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally seem to be enjoying themselves as the infamous Castevet’s, but they don’t really register as anything more than impersonations; Wiest herself is really trying to channel Ruth Gordon, but it comes off more like a parody, than an actual embodiment of the character. And Jim Sturgess shows up as a the supposed romantic love-interest, who may or may not be a dastardly figure and yeah, it just doesn’t land.
But that’s the main problem with Apartment 7A - it’s not really about whether the performances are good or not, if the atmosphere isn’t nearly as creepy as it should be, then it just doesn’t work. And yup, that’s what happened here. Oh well.
Hey, at least the final five minutes are good. That’s pretty much it though.
Song of the Day: “Be My Baby” - The Ronettes
Shows up in the movie twice and easily, are the best parts of the movie. Trust me, once you see it, you’ll get it.
-Dan O.
I love Julie Garner, but WHY remake this? As you very eloquently put, Rosemary's Baby is a beloved classic even with Polanski involved. And you CANNOT replace the brilliance of Ruth Gordon and the understated naivete, innocence and fear portrayed by Mia Farrow. I don't think I can bear to even try to watch this one.