Directed by: Natalie Erika James Written by: Natalie Erika James, Christian White and Skylar James Starring: Julia Garner – Terry Gionoffrio Dianne Wiest – Minnie Castevet Kevin McNally – Roman Castevet Jim Sturgess – Alan Marchand Marli Siu – Annie Leung Rosy McEwen – Vera Clarke Andrew Buchan – Leo Watts Kobna Holdbrook-Smith – BJ Tina Gray – Mrs. Gardenia Image Credit: Paramount+ Running Time: 105 minutes Rated R for some violent content and drug use. You have to respect the audacity required to try and make a prequel to Rosemary’s Baby .
That’s not intended to be a back-handed compliment; I mean it with full sincerity. Its highly problematic director aside, the 1968 psychological horror film is more or less a perfect movie and one of the greatest horror films ever made. It helped turn Mia Farrow into a star and carved Ruth Gordon’s name into cinematic history.
Frankly, trying to explore the events before that film seems like folly. And yet, in some ways that’s exactly the kind of fearlessness that creates a great filmmaker. And if anyone could deliver a worthy prequel to the original, it would probably be Natalie Erika James.
James’ Relic was one of 2020’s best films and provided knockout roles for a trio of wonderful actors. She again gives her cast room to shine in Apartment 7A , which premiered at Fantastic Fest on Friday and arrives on Paramount+ next Friday, though the audacity falters when it’s time for the film to walk its own path. .