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Apartment 7A

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Apartment 7A
Release poster
Directed byNatalie Erika James
Screenplay by
  • Natalie Erika James
  • Christian White
  • Skylar James
Story bySkylar James
Based onRosemary's Baby
by Ira Levin
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyArnau Valls Colomer
Edited byAndy Canny
Music by
  • Adam Price
  • Peter Gregson
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20) (Fantastic Fest)
  • September 27, 2024 (2024-09-27) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Apartment 7A is a 2024 American psychological horror[2] film directed by Natalie Erika James from a screenplay she co-wrote with Christian White and Skylar James. It serves as a prequel to Rosemary's Baby (1968). Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Jim Sturgess, and Kevin McNally star.

Apartment 7A had its premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2024, before being released simultaneously on Paramount+ and on digital video on demand on September 27.

Plot

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Terry Gionoffrio, a young dancer from Nebraska now working in New York City, sustains a serious ankle injury mid-performance in a Broadway production of Kiss Me, Kate, causing the show to be stopped. She becomes known as "the girl who fell" and although unable to perform as she previously did, continues to unsuccessfully audition for dancing parts. After auditioning for Broadway producer Alan Marchand, she follows him home to the Bramford apartment building and becomes sick. She is befriended by Minnie and Roman Castevet, an elderly couple who live in the Bramford's apartments and who offer her an apartment down the hall rent-free, which they explain as something they have done before to help someone who needs it. Unpacking, she comes across a ballet slipper labeled Joan Cebulski.

The Castevets invite her for cocktails at Alan's apartment, but when she shows up, she discovers the Castevets have cried off and she is the only guest. After a drink, she becomes disoriented. After a frightening dream, she wakes in bed in Marchand's apartment. He implies they had sex and tells her she made the chorus for his show.

Terry meets more of the neighbors, who take an interest. One woman, Lily Gardenia, gives her a salve for her ankle, and she has another frightening dream, but in the morning her ankle is markedly better. Another, Dr. Sapirstein, an obstetrician, gives her his card. The Castevets give her a talisman necklace for Christmas.

After experiencing morning sickness, she visits Dr. Sapirstein and discovers she is pregnant, and the news is soon known to Alan and the Castevets.

Terry is attacked in the night by Lily who says she "has to end it". After attacking Terry with a pair of scissors, she has a heart attack. The next day, the Castevet couple tells her Lily is in a coma.

Terry discovers a secret passageway into Lily's apartment and finds a note and a grimoire. She steals the grimoire and finds a drawing of her talisman in it along with a photo of a chained woman giving birth to a demon.

Terry experiences pain and calls Dr. Sapirstein, telling him she thinks there's something wrong with her or the baby. He tells her to pack a bag and come in, and when she asks why she would need a bag, he tells her she may be experiencing perinatal hysteria and need to be admitted for her own protection and that of the baby.

Terry flees, leaving the talisman behind. She finds Joan Cebulski's name in an old Playbill and visits the theater; the manager tells her Joan left six months earlier, promising to be back for her belongings the next day. In Joan's suitcase, Terry finds a rosary and a Bible with Revelation 12:9 underlined.

Terry goes to a back-alley abortionist, accompanied by Annie; Terry involuntarily kicks the abortionist as she starts the process, and the woman has a seizure. Terry tells Annie she has to deal with the pregnancy "on her own".

Back at the Bramford, she finds a temple with murals and tools of religious ritual in a sub-basement. Alan appears and tells her this is where she was impregnated. Alan taunts her, and she stabs him with an engraved athame. A horned figure appears, and she flees. Finding Minne and Roman in her apartment, she tries to stab herself in the stomach but falls to the floor, writhing in pain. Roman tells Terry her son will be satan's heir and change the world. He and Minnie take her to the rest of the group, who welcome her. Minnie replaces the talisman around Terry's neck and Roman declares God dead and 1965 the year one. He raises a toast, "Hail, Satan", which Terry joins in on. She begins to dance artistically to "Be My Baby", and reaching the window, throws herself out to her death. As Minnie and Roman approach the scene, they see Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse being interviewed by police.[a]

Cast

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In addition, Amy Leeson and Scott Hume appear as Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, respectively.

Production

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Development

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In 2008, a remake of Rosemary's Baby (1968) was in development from producers Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller.[10] It fell through later that year.[11][12]

In March 2021, it was reported Natalie Erika James would direct the psychological thriller film Apartment 7A. James co-wrote the screenplay with Christian White, based on a previous draft of the script written by Skylar James. John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, Bay, Form and Fuller produced the film, which was a joint-venture production between Paramount Players, Sunday Night Productions, and Platinum Dunes. Following the success of the A Quiet Place franchise, the project was among several scripts that the studio was developing with a similar tone. Apartment 7A was chosen from those projects to quickly enter pre-production.[13]

Casting

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In January 2022, Julia Garner was revealed to be starring in the leading role.[3] In March, Dianne Wiest joined the cast.[4] By the time filming had ended, additional casting announcements included Marli Siu,[7] Rosy McEwen,[9] Jim Sturgess, Kevin McNally, Andrew Buchan and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.[8]

Filming

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Principal photography began in London on March 15, 2022.[14] On June 4, it was announced that filming had wrapped.[15][7] Later that month, Bloody Disgusting reported that the film was secretly a prequel to Rosemary's Baby, the film adaptation of Ira Levin's eponymous 1967 novel.[16][17] In August, the Writers Guild of America determined the film's final writing credits and confirmed it to be based on Levin's novel.[18] Reshoots took place in April and May 2023.[19]

Release

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Apartment 7A premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2024,[20][21] before being simultaneously released in the United States via video-on-demand and on Paramount+ on September 27.[22]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 41% of 80 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Apartment 7A is slickly assembled and solidly acted, but the lingering memory of Rosemary's Baby and a predictable prequel template make for a sub(par)lease."[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 49 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[24]

John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal called it "a highly stylish effort at recycling".[25] Writing for IGN Movies, Katie Rife noted that "although the film’s themes and horror are rote, creative choreography and strong performances from the core cast make it an entertaining watch".[26] The film was also praised by Robert Englund.[27]

Notes

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  1. ^ As depicted in Rosemary's Baby (1968)

References

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  1. ^ "Apartment 7A (15)". BBFC. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (August 29, 2024). "Julia Garner Senses Evil Forces in Trailer for 'Rosemary's Baby' Prequel Film 'Apartment 7A'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (January 7, 2022). "Julia Garner To Star in Thriller Apartment 7A For Paramount Players, Sunday Night And Platinum Dunes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Kit, Borys (March 14, 2022). "Dianne Wiest Joins Julia Garner In Psychological Thriller Apartment 7A". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  5. ^ Rodgers, Matt (June 26, 2023). "Julia Garner-headlined horror Apartment 7A is a covert Rosemary's Baby prequel". Flickering Myth. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Poisuo, Pauli (August 28, 2023). "Apartment 7A Cast, Director, Rumors And More Details". Looper. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Miska, Brad (June 9, 2022). "Apartment 7A – Filming Wraps on Relic Director's Next Starring Ozark's Julia Garner!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Complex, Valerie (April 26, 2024). "Julia Garner's 'Rosemary's Baby' Prequel 'Apartment 7A' To Launch In Fall On Paramount+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Jackson, Angelique (March 16, 2023). "CAA Signs 'The Alienist,' 'Apartment 7A' Actor Rosy McEwen (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Kit, Borys (March 12, 2008). "Bay preps 'Rosemary' redo". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Rosemary's Baby Remake Scrapped". IMDb. December 22, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  12. ^ Weintraub, Steven (December 21, 2008). "Producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form talk Future Projects". Collider. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 18, 2021). "Natalie Erika James To Direct Thriller Apartment 7A For Paramount, Sunday Night Productions And Platinum Dunes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "Apartment 7A". Production List. Film & Television Industry Alliance. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  15. ^ James, Natalie Erika [@natalieejames] (June 4, 2022). "WRAAAAAPPED on APARTMENT 7A. What a ride 🫠🫠🫠". Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Instagram.
  16. ^ Miska, Brad (June 29, 2022). "Rosemary's Baby – Is Paramount's Apartment 7A a Secret Prequel?! [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  17. ^ Davids, Brian (September 28, 2024). "'Apartment 7A' Director Natalie Erika James on the Challenges of Making a 'Rosemary's Baby' Prequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  18. ^ "Apartment 7A". Writers Guild of America West. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  19. ^ "Molly Glinn". The Talent Manager. November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "Apartment 7A". Fantastic Fest. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Grobar, Matt (August 15, 2024). "Fantastic Fest Unveils 2024 Lineup Featuring 'Terrifier 3,' 'Apartment 7A,' 'Anora,' 'Never Let Go' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  22. ^ Breznican, Anthony (July 16, 2024). "Rosemary's Baby Prequel Apartment 7A Aims to Raise Hell: A First Look". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  23. ^ "Apartment 7A". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 21, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  24. ^ "Apartment 7A". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  25. ^ Anderson, John (September 26, 2024). "'Apartment 7A' Review: A Stylish Satanic Prequel". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  26. ^ Rife, Katie (September 27, 2024). "'Apartment 7A' Review". IGN Movies. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  27. ^ Robert Englund (October 6, 2024). "My Halloween season viewing recommendations: Lucky McKee's MAY, with the brilliant Angela Bettis and Anna Faris (...)". Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Facebook. Meta Platforms.
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