Apartment 7A 2024
Directed by
Natalie Erika James
Made by
ARRI
Plot Summary
Terry Gionoffrio, a young dancer from Nebraska now working in New York City, sustains a serious ankle injury mid-performance in a Broadway production of Kiss Me, Kate, causing the show to be stopped. She becomes known as “the girl who fell” and although unable to perform as she previously did, continues to unsuccessfully audition for dancing parts. After auditioning for Broadway producer Alan Marchand, she follows him home to the Bramford apartment building and becomes sick. She is befriended by Minnie and Roman Castevet, an elderly couple who live in the Bramford’s apartments and who offer her an apartment down the hall rent-free, which they explain as something they have done before to help someone who needs it. Unpacking, she comes across a ballet slipper labeled Joan Cebulski.
The Castevets invite her for cocktails at Alan’s apartment, but when she shows up, she discovers the Castevets have cried off and she is the only guest. After a drink, she becomes disoriented. After a frightening dream, she wakes in bed in Marchand’s apartment. He implies they had sex and tells her she made the chorus for his show.
Terry meets more of the neighbors, who take an interest. One woman, Lily Gardenia, gives her a salve for her ankle, and she has another frightening dream, but in the morning her ankle is markedly better. Another, Dr. Sapirstein, an obstetrician, gives her his card. The Castevets give her a talisman necklace for Christmas.
After experiencing morning sickness, she visits Dr. Sapirstein and discovers she is pregnant, and the news is soon known to Alan and the Castevets.
Terry discovers a secret passageway into Lily’s apartment and finds a note and a grimoire. She steals the grimoire and finds a drawing of her talisman in it along with a photo of a chained woman giving birth to a demon.
Terry experiences pain and calls Dr. Sapirstein, telling him she thinks there’s something wrong with her or the baby. He tells her to pack a bag and come in, and when she asks why she would need a bag, he tells her she may be experiencing perinatal hysteria and need to be admitted for her own protection and that of the baby.
Terry flees, leaving the talisman behind. She finds Joan Cebulski’s name in an old Playbill and visits the theater; the manager tells her Joan left six months earlier, promising to be back for her belongings the next day. In Joan’s suitcase, Terry finds a rosary and a bible with Revelation 12:9 underlined.
Terry goes to a back-alley abortionist, accompanied by Annie; Terry involuntarily kicks the abortionist as she starts the process, and the woman has a seizure. Terry tells Annie she has to deal with the pregnancy “on her own”.
Back at the Bramford, she finds a temple with murals and tools of religious ritual in a sub-basement. Alan appears and tells her this is where she was impregnated. Alan taunts her, and she stabs him with an engraved athame. A horned figure appears, and she flees. Finding Minne and Roman in her apartment, she tries to stab herself in the stomach but falls to the floor, writhing in pain. Roman tells Terry her son will be satan’s heir and change the world. He and Minnie take her to the rest of the group, who welcome her. Minnie replaces the talisman around Terry’s neck and Roman declares God dead and 1965 the year one. He raises a toast, “Hail, Satan”, which Terry joins in on. She begins to dance artistically to Be My Baby, and reaching the window, throws herself out to her death. As Minnie and Roman approach the scene, they see Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse being interviewed by police.
Timeline
Injury During Performance
Terry Gionoffrio, a young dancer, suffers a severe ankle injury while performing in the Broadway show Kiss Me, Kate. This incident halts the production and marks the beginning of her struggles in the competitive world of dance.
Auditioning and Struggles
Despite her injury, Terry continues to audition for various dancing roles but faces rejection after rejection. She becomes known as 'the girl who fell,' highlighting the challenges she faces in her career as a dancer.
Meeting Alan Marchand
After auditioning for Broadway producer Alan Marchand, Terry unexpectedly follows him to his home. This marks the start of her complexities with him as she begins to navigate her new life.
Friendship with the Castevets
Terry is befriended by Minnie and Roman Castevet, an elderly couple living in her building who offer her an apartment rent-free. They offer their support, which further complicates Terry's life as she struggles with her injury and newfound circumstances.
Isolation at Cocktail Party
Terry attends a cocktail party at Alan's apartment, only to find that she is the only guest after the Castevets cancel. Feeling disoriented after having a drink, she experiences a surreal night that alters her reality.
Awakening in Alan's Apartment
Terry wakes up in Alan Marchand's apartment with vague memories of what happened the previous night. Alan implies they were intimate, and he informs her that she has made it to the chorus of his show, adding to her confusion and dependency on him.
Pregnancy Discovery
After experiencing morning sickness, Terry visits Dr. Sapirstein and receives the shocking news that she is pregnant. This revelation quickly becomes known to both Alan Marchand and the Castevets, putting her in a precarious situation.
Uncovering Secrets
While exploring her new apartment, Terry discovers a hidden passageway to Lily Gardenia's apartment and finds a mysterious note along with a grimoire. Her curiosity drives her to learn more about the ominous items she unearthed.
Calling for Help
Terry, feeling pain and distress, contacts Dr. Sapirstein to express her fears for herself and her unborn child. Dr. Sapirstein's response to pack a bag for admission adds to her anxiety and leads Terry to flee instead of seeking help.
Confronting Joan Cebulski's Past
Determined to uncover the truth, Terry visits the theater associated with Joan Cebulski, whose belongings may offer her clues. There, she discovers dark remnants of Joan's past, suggesting a sinister connection she did not expect.
Desperate Decisions
Accompanied by her friend Annie, Terry seeks out a back-alley abortionist in a moment of desperation. The procedure turns chaotic when Terry instinctively kicks the abortionist, causing a seizure, further emphasizing her internal struggle.
Discovering a Hidden Temple
Back at the Bramford, Terry uncovers a secret temple filled with religious imagery and ritual tools. This shocking discovery forces her to confront the dark forces at play that are intertwined with her life and her pregnancy.
Confrontation with Alan
In a climactic moment, Terry confronts Alan in the hidden temple, where he taunts her while revealing horrific truths about her pregnancy. In a desperate act, she stabs him, only for a horned figure to appear, leading her to an even darker fate.
The Ritual Unfolds
As her nightmare escalates, Terry is welcomed by the group led by Roman and Minnie, who reveal the true nature of her child. In a twisted ceremony, they toast to their dark beliefs, entangling Terry deeper in the sinister scheme.
Final Act
In a moment of despair, Terry escapes the chaos by throwing herself out of a window, seeking freedom from the horrors engulfing her. The scene ends with the chilling sight of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse being questioned by the police, hinting at a larger conspiracy.
Characters
Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner)
Terry is a passionate and ambitious young dancer whose life spirals out of control after a devastating injury. Her journey into the world of the supernatural reveals her vulnerabilities and strengths, as she navigates relationships with enigmatic neighbors and her precarious situation.
Minnie Castevet (Dianne Wiest)
Minnie is an elderly woman who embodies both warmth and manipulation, presenting herself as a caring figure while harboring sinister intentions. Her character adds an unsettling layer to the narrative, as she lures Terry into a web of dark secrets.
Alan Marchand (Jim Sturgess)
Alan is a Broadway producer who becomes entangled in Terry's life, initially representing opportunity but later revealing a more sinister aspect. His charm conceals darker motives, contributing to the film's tension as Terry's trust in him wavers.
Roman Castevet (Kevin McNally)
Roman is an enigmatic figure representing the dark side of power and influence. His interactions with Terry reveal the sinister undercurrent of the Castevets' intentions, complicating her understanding of her reality.
Setting
Time period
1960s
The 1960s was a transformative decade marked by cultural revolutions and social change. It saw a rise in counterculture movements, exploration of personal freedoms, and evolving attitudes toward traditional values, reflected in the film's darker themes.
Location
New York City, Bramford apartment building
New York City is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline, vibrant culture, and diverse population. The Bramford apartment building, a key setting in the story, represents a historic residential space with a mysterious past, harboring secrets and supernatural elements.
Themes
🩰
Ambition
Ambition drives Terry Gionoffrio as she navigates her precarious career in dance and seeks to reclaim her place on Broadway. Despite her injury and the subsequent challenges, her determination showcases both the heights of aspiration and the depths of desperation.
👶
Pregnancy
Terry's unexpected pregnancy pivots the narrative, introducing themes of motherhood intertwined with horror. The conflicting thoughts about her condition amplify her anxiety, which is exacerbated by the insidious influences of her neighbors, leading her to a desperate situation.
👹
Supernatural
Supernatural elements permeate the film as Terry grapples with malevolent forces surrounding her pregnancy. The blending of horror with reality creates an oppressive atmosphere, symbolizing her internal struggles against societal and personal demons.
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