Spooky season is upon us, which is probably great news for some, and terrible news for those of us who don’t enjoy feeling afraid. For one month a year, I am forced to go outside my comfort zone and try new (read: scarier) types of movies. Sometimes, as in the case of Rosemary’s Baby, it works out. I don’t watch this classic and lay awake thinking about how the Satanists are coming to kill me; I lay awake thinking about Rosemary’s cute dresses. When I heard there was a new prequel to this beloved film, I was intrigued. Would it be scarier than the original? Would it be as stylish? After watching Apartment 7A (Disc/Download), I’m happy to report all the elements I loved about the first one survived the dreaded Hollywood IP churn. This movie is good.
Shocking absolutely no one, a gorgeous psychological thriller directed by a woman and featuring beautiful sets and costumes got a straight-to-streaming release on Paramount+. Why? Because Hollywood execs still don’t understand what female viewers want. In Apartment 7A, Julia Garner plays injured Broadway dancer Terry Gionoffrio, and trust me when I say if you were impressed by the 1960s-era production design of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, you will be impressed by Apartment 7A. Lots of wild costumes, sets that evoke a Powell & Pressburger dream sequence, and even a rousing climax set to the music of The Ronettes. Hell, even Satan is bedazzled! Jim Sturgess fills in for John Cassavetes, playing a sleazy Broadway producer instead of a sleazy husband, and Dianne Wiest does her own spin on the role made so famous by Ruth Gordon. But really, it’s Garner who steals the show. She creates a unique character, totally separate from Rosemary, who seamlessly inserts herself into this world we already know so well. Yes, there are Tannis Root and Vodka Blush winks scattered throughout, but this story stands on its own. Where fractured ideas of motherhood and domesticity were the driving force behind the original, here it’s professional ambition. What would you give up to have the career that makes you feel most alive? Can women ever really “have it all”?
As mentioned, the Vodka Blush makes a resurgence here, and you can find the recipe for that in my original Rosemary’s Baby post. However, we also get a new cocktail introduced in Jim Sturgess’s fabulous mid-century modern apartment, the classic Old Fashioned. I’m making a syrup with fresh ginger root (not Tannis root) to give this one a little kick, because sadly, his Old Fashioned also has quite the kick. While watching Apartment 7A, I recommend drinking a Ginger Old Fashioned.
Ginger Old Fashioned
For syrup:
1 cup Sugar
½ cup Water
¼ cup peeled, chopped Ginger
To make the syrup, combine sugar, water, and ginger in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for approximately 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain out solids and let the syrup cool.
For cocktail:
2 oz Bourbon
¼ oz prepared Ginger Syrup
3 dashes Ginger Bitters
Orange peel
Pinch edible glitter
Dehydrated citrus ring
To make the cocktail, place a large ice cube or sphere in a rocks glass. In a separate mixing glass, add the ginger syrup, bourbon, ginger bitters, pinch of edible glitter, and fresh ice. Stir to combine and chill. Strain into the prepared rocks glass, and express the oil of an orange peel over the glass. Garnish with dehydrated citrus.
I suppose one good thing about Apartment 7A going straight to streaming is that I can immediately watch it at home with the perfect cocktail, and consequently share it with my readers. If you’re wondering why there’s glitter in my drink, it’s because this particular incarnation of Satan is so sparkly. A bold choice, but I love it! Stylish outfits, stylish apartments, and cocktail parties of the occult—this is the kind of horror I can get behind. Cheers!
Cinema Sips 