Trailer for ‘Apartment 7A'

Paramount’s “Apartment 7A,” a “Rosemary’s Baby” prequel about the woman who died outside the apartment when Rosemary moved in, is going straight to Paramount+ on September 27. We now have our first trailer.

Unlike Polanski’s 1968 classic, the trailer hints that we’ll actually be seeing the demon-like baby in “Apartment 7A.” Wise decision?

“Apartment 7A” is one of two horror films that are being shipped off to streaming this fall; the other being “Salem’s Lot.” You’d think, given how profitable horror releases have been this decade, that studios would give both of these films a shot commercially, but that is sadly not the case. The only theatrical screening currently expected for “Apartment 7A” is its world premiere at Fantastic Fest next month.

Last year, our resident test screener watched “Apartment 7A,” calling it “intense and clever,” praising Diane Wiest’s “diabolically hilarious” performance and Julia Garner as “totally committed” to her role.

This psychological thriller, which has gone totally under the radar, actually wrapped production in October of 2022. Reshoots took place in April and May 2023. It’s been a turbulent production for this one and a dump on Paramount+ is not a sign of confidence.

Natalie Erika James directs “Apartment 7A.” Her feature directing debut was “Relic” and, although I found it to be very flawed, James did show some promise in the way she shot that indie horror film. Here’s the synopsis for “Apartment 7A”:

When a struggling, young dancer suffers a devastating injury, she finds herself drawn in by dark forces when a peculiar, well-connected, older couple promises her a shot at fame.

Paramount Pictures owns the rights to Roman Polanski’s 1968 horror masterpiece which starred Mia Farrow as a pregnant young woman who believes her baby might not be of this world. Of note, Amy Leeson is credited as playing Rosemary Woodhouse in “Apartment 7A”, that’s the title character portrayed by Mia Farrow in Polanski’s film.

The character of Roman Castevet also appears in both films. Sidney Blackmer portrayed Roman in the original film and Kevin McNally plays him in the prequel.