Apartment 212

Moving to a new apartment can be both fun, and painful. All the things you have to get in order, but once it is done of course you are soon back on track. I remember my first apartment, that i got back in January of 2001. It was not big, but perfect for me, since i was single at the time. We used to gather friends at my home and have movie nights, make some food, and talk about movies. I remember my book shelves were filled with VHS films, and CD albums. I ever had the background of my book shelves covered with flag posters of Limp Bizkit, that i could see every morning i woke up. I stayed in this apartment, until i moved to my wife in another city. So my design of an apartment quickly changed to a more descent look, than what i used to have. But what if you have a problem with the apartment you live in, no matter if it is a bad neighbor or something else that goes on ? There are plenty of horror films, that takes on apartment issues, and i came to think about one specific film. The Japanese horror movie Dark Water from 2003, is a really good example when you move into the wrong building. A very well made horror film, about a mother and her young daughter, who moves to an apartment building where mysterious things happens. Dark Water is a horror film you should see, if you love creepy horror, and i guarantee you will enjoy the look of the cinematography as well. One of the greatest horror classics that takes place in an apartment building, is of course Roman Polanski´s masterpiece Rosemary´s Baby. A perfect example when you move in to the wrong house, and the film really managed to tell a very horrific story about a mother who is surrounded by satanists. The lead role by legendary actor Mia Farrow is a really powerful performance, and this might actually be one of her best films ever. Most of all, i think director Roman Polanski knew that the most effective way to tell a story of a pregnant mother, was to make everything look perfect from the beginning, but it all turns out to be a complete hell eventually, in the worst possible way. If you have not seen Rosemary´s Baby, pick it up on DVD or Blu Ray, this is one of those horror films you have to see. Recently i was checking out movie reviews on Geek Legion Of Doom on YouTube, and came across a film called Apartment 212. A film i did not know anything about, until i listened to the review. The concept of the film sounded interesting, so i decided to check it out on VOD. Is this monster film Apartment 212 in my taste, or is this a film we should avoid at all cost ?

Jennifer ( Peneolpe Mitchell ) is a young woman, ready to start a new life in a new apartment. She used to live with her abusive ex boyfriend Boyd ( Chris Johnson ), but she needed to get out of the relationship. In the apartment complex she just moved into, she is welcomed by frendly neighbor Terry ( Kyle Gass ), who help her any way she can. But one night, Jennifer hear a woman crying from the ventilation system. Not knowing why the woman is sad, Jennifer leaves it alone. Then the crying continues, every day. Jennifer knows something must be wrong, and confront the woman. She turns out to be killed brutally, and no one knows what happened really. One morning Jennifer wakes up, and find a wound on her, as if she was bitten by something, For each day, her body is getting more wounds, and she have no idea why this is happening to her. Was Jennifer attacked, or is there another explanation to what is happening ?

Even if Apartment 212 is a limited budget B movie, i have to say that the film comes out as a homage to the 80´s monster films. And there are certain details i really think works with Apartment 212. First off the sound effects, they feel very effective with the horror atmosphere. I also really enjoy the idea of a monster, that is hiding  and strikes just at certain moments. You really don´t get to see the monster until the end, and this is a great idea. This way we get to learn more about the character´s in the apartment facility. Two songs on the soundtrack to this film, by singer Lisa Donnelly matches great with the film´s plot. I think i am going have to check her CD out, or on Spotify of course. Even if the film use a very simple story, it is told effective, where the location of the apartment facility gives the plot a reason to develop further on. The main character Jennifer ( played by actor Penelope Mitchell ) is one of the reasons why this film manage to work. Penelope manage to make her character a great lead role, and she turns out to be tougher than we would expect. I also like the performance of actor Kyle Gass, playing her neighbor Terry. He is the kind of neighbor we all should have, friendly, helpful and always trying to be positive. I was trying to think what film Apartment 212 reminded me of, and i came to think about a B movie called Gremlin from director Ryan Bellgardt. A film i never reviewed in here, but did enjoy. But i have to say that Apartment 212 stands out even more than Gremlin, especially because of plot. The monster design is actually really creepy, and this is a very important detail in a film like this. Especially the sound the monster makes, i promise you will feel the creepy atmosphere. Director Haylor Garcia have directed 2 films in the past, and i have not seen them so far. So this is the first time i get to see his work, and i think he have done a good job. You have to have passion to 80´s homage films, and this is something director Haylor Garcia have. He uses simple methods to construct a story, how a nightmare can become even worse in your new home. The ending could probably have included a different twist, but other than that i can´t complain. Apartment 212 knows what kind of audience it wants to please, and if you love 80´s monster films, i guarantee this is a film for you. A nice DVD release for the family to enjoy together.

Rating: DDD