Apartment 7A (2024) Movie Review: Exploring Ambition and Control in a Captivating Ballet

Apartment 7A is an original film exclusive to Paramount+, launched on September 27, 2024. This cinematic piece focuses on Terry Gionoffrio, an aspiring dancer with dreams of shining in the limelight of a musical stage production. She relocates to an apartment complex named Bramford, where unsettling events soon unfold.

Set in 1965, the storyline acts as a prequel to the iconic 1968 thriller, Rosemary’s Baby. Although inspired by this cult classic, Apartment 7A has received a middling average rating of 5.4/10 on Rotten Tomatoes as of this article’s publication.

The official synopsis for Apartment 7A reads:

“A struggling dancer finds herself drawn into dark forces by a peculiar couple promising her fame.”

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Apartment 7A and its predecessor, Rosemary’s Baby.

Apartment 7A Review: A Visually Captivating Film with a Weaker Narrative

Apartment 7A is a well-crafted film, marked by stunning visuals, although it lacks the intricate storytelling of its predecessor, Rosemary’s Baby. This article will explore various elements of the movie, discussing both its strengths and shortcomings.

A Visual Delight with Grand Staging

From the outset, Apartment 7A establishes a consistent and intricate visual aesthetic. The design of the Bramford apartment complex adds an air of sinister elegance, evoking a blend of comfort and hidden danger.

The most striking visual sequence occurs during one of Terry’s dreams which features a stunning blue building and stairwell, resembling a theatrical backdrop. The scene is enhanced by the ominous presence of the Castevets observing her from a balcony while she dances with Marchand, eager to seize her moment in the spotlight.

The rich blue tones create an alluring contrast to the tension, showcasing the peril lurking just beneath the surface of Terry’s aspirations.

The costumes also contribute significantly to the film’s allure. Each character’s attire reflects their personalities, with subtle hints to the Satanic elements woven throughout the narrative.

Terry’s Halloween party outfit, adorned with horn-like embellishments, symbolically connects her to darker forces, foreshadowing her inevitable entanglement with malevolence.

The dancers’ costumes, particularly during the musical’s dress rehearsal, were striking, enhanced by vibrant makeup and choreography that perfectly showcased the elaborate designs. The camerawork effectively highlighted these Amazonian outfits, creating a visually gratifying scene.

A Talented Ensemble Cast

The film boasts a noteworthy cast, featuring talents like Julia Garner and Dianne Wiest in prominent roles. Garner effectively portrays the nervous energy and passionate drive of Terry, a character deeply entrenched in the world of dance.

Terry’s climactic performance at the film’s conclusion is a powerful blend of reclaiming her autonomy while exuding the confidence of an accomplished performer—an emotional delivery that Garner captures beautifully.

Dianne Wiest shines as Minnie Castevet, presenting an eerie charm from her first appearance. As the character evolves, so does her treacherous facade, juxtaposing kindness with manipulation as she lures Terry into the cult’s dark embrace.

Do the Explored Themes Elevate the Narrative?

While Apartment 7A proves engaging in its own right, it ultimately falls short when compared to the original Rosemary’s Baby. The film attempts to highlight that women have faced similar fates before Rosemary, yet it fails to explore the depth of themes presented in the earlier work.

In Rosemary’s Baby, the central narrative revolves around the loss of Rosemary’s control over her life, compounded by betrayal from her husband. In contrast, Apartment 7A suggests that Terry’s choices are driven by her ambition, leading to questions about when she truly lost her agency amidst her own decisions.

The tension in Apartment 7A is somewhat diminished by the foreboding nature of Terry’s fate. Nevertheless, her final moments are rendered poetically significant as she plays a role that culminates in a deliberate fall, a stark contrast to her initial unintentional mishap.

Audiences can now stream Apartment 7A online exclusively on Paramount+.

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