A polished but heavily derivative occult thriller that leans on Rosemary’s Baby-style dread more than it builds a distinct identity of its own. The lead performance and production design give it enough atmosphere to work for fans of glossy, slow-burn horror, but the familiarity is hard to ignore.
Apartment 7A
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Horror · Thriller
Fri · 1h 44m
Director: Natalie Erika James
Starring: Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Jim Sturgess
Overview
A struggling young dancer finds herself drawn in by dark forces when a peculiar, well-connected older couple promise her a shot at fame.
Director
Natalie Erika James
Cast
Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Jim Sturgess
Curator Review
Verdict
A polished but heavily derivative occult thriller that leans on Rosemary’s Baby-style dread more than it builds a distinct identity of its own. The lead performance and production design give it enough atmosphere to work for fans of glossy, slow-burn horror, but the familiarity is hard to ignore.
Best for
Viewers who enjoy elegant, slow-burn occult horror
Fans of 1970s-style paranoia and apartment-set dread
People who prioritize lead performances and atmosphere over originality
Rosemary’s Baby devotees curious about a prequel-adjacent spin
Skip if
You want a fresh or surprising horror premise
You’re tired of direct homage and legacy-sequel/prequel storytelling
You prefer fast, violent, or overtly scary horror
You need a movie that stands strongly on its own without comparisons
Overview
Apartment 7A is built with real craft: the period detail is rich, the apartment setting feels oppressive, and Julia Garner gives the material a brittle, watchable intensity. Natalie Erika James knows how to stage unease, and the film often succeeds as a mood piece even when the plot is telegraphing its moves well in advance.
Worth noting
The problem is that the movie lives in the shadow of a much greater predecessor. It keeps circling the same ideas, imagery, and rhythms, so the tension comes less from discovery than from recognition. For viewers who like seeing a familiar horror mythology reframed with glossy production values, that may be enough.
Bottom line
As a standalone thriller, though, it feels more competent than essential. The atmosphere, performances, and final stretch give it some bite, but the overall experience is closer to an elegant echo than a new nightmare.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Joe A (2★) · 1094 likes
Somehow rosemary’s baby has returned. Jokes aside, weird decision to essentially remake an iconic movie but package it as prequel.
B E R T (4★) · 853 likes
I’d absolutely LOVE to see how screwed these satanists would be if Julia Garner as Anna Delvey moved into Apartment 7A.
aurora 𖦹 (1.5★) · 627 likes
I thought it couldn’t get anymore worse but then they went ahead and bedazzled the devil
joe (3.5★) · 522 likes
decent prequel. nothing really new here but anyone who loves rosemarys baby will definitely enjoy this! loved all the comebacks & easter eggs. jaw dropping final scene, phenomenal set design & stunning visuals plus a fantastic lead performance from julia garner! 👹🍼