The highly anticipated prequel to the classic horror film Rosemary’s Baby, titled Apartment 7A, has debuted with a disappointing score on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Natalie Erika James, the film currently holds a 44% rating on the review aggregator, a significant drop compared to the original’s 96% score.

Set to release on September 27 on Paramount+, Apartment 7A explores the backstory of Terry Gionoffrio, portrayed by Julia Garner. The character is a dancer who moves into an apartment building owned by the enigmatic Castevets, leading to a series of unsettling events. The cast also includes Jim Sturgess, Amy Leeson, Scott Hume, with Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally playing Minnie and Roman Castevet, respectively.

The original Rosemary’s Baby, released in 1968, is considered a landmark in the horror genre. Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Mia Farrow and Ruth Gordon—who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—the film set a high bar for psychological horror. The prequel aims to delve deeper into the sinister world of the Castevets and their influence on unsuspecting tenants.

Critics have noted that while the premise of exploring Terry’s story is intriguing, Apartment 7A struggles to capture the suspense and psychological terror that made the original a classic. The film attempts to shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Terry’s brief appearance in Rosemary’s Baby, where she was given a peculiar necklace by Minnie Castevet before her untimely death.

This is not the first time the Rosemary’s Baby universe has been revisited. In 1976, a sequel titled Look What’s Happened to Rosemary’s Baby was released but failed to make a significant impact. The challenge of living up to the original’s legacy seems to persist with this new installment.

The timing of the release on a streaming platform like Paramount+ raises questions about its potential reach and reception. Streaming platforms have become a double-edged sword for films, offering accessibility but sometimes limiting the perceived prestige associated with theatrical releases.

Audience reactions remain to be seen, and there’s a possibility that viewer interest could bolster the film despite critical reception. Horror enthusiasts and fans of the original may still find value in the expanded narrative of the Castevets and the eerie atmosphere that the story promises.

Apartment 7A aims to provide a deeper understanding of the malevolent forces at play in Rosemary’s Baby, focusing on themes of isolation, manipulation and unseen dangers lurking in familiar spaces. Whether it succeeds in delivering a compelling addition to the franchise is a question that audiences will answer upon its release.

The impact of the low Rotten Tomatoes score on viewership is uncertain. While some potential viewers may be deterred by the initial critical response, others may choose to watch the film to form their own opinions. The performance of Apartment 7A on Paramount+ will offer insights into how much weight critical scores hold in the streaming era.

As the release date approaches, fans of psychological horror and the original film will be watching to see if Apartment 7A can overcome its early setbacks and provide a chilling new chapter in the storied franchise.