Like this year’s The First Omen, Apartment 7A is a prequel to an iconic horror movie – in this case, Satanic classic Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – that fleshes out, to some degree, the world of its predecessor-slash-successor.

Director/co-writer Natalie Erika James (2020’s critically lauded Relic) is a dab hand at eerie flourishes (the sight of Terry’s belly growing is a standout). Garner (Ozark, the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps) convinces as the potential demonic patsy, though she’s surpassed by Wiest, who revels in her supremely unsettling role (one peephole shot of her staring intently truly chills).

But for all that, there are times when Apartment 7A feels derivative, not least when a rival to Terry suffers a bone-cracking demise that recalls Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria remake. Boasting big-name producers (John Krasinski, Michael Bay) and scored with '60s hits (notably Be My Baby), it’s a well-crafted film, even if it doesn’t greatly expand upon the original movie.

No comments yet!