The Front Room

The Front Room: It tells the story of a newly pregnant couple who are forced to take in an ailing, estranged stepmother.

Introduction

Another good (not so great) release from A24, The Front Room is full of what the fck?! moments and a whole lot of what the hell?! situations. It will make your brain go haywire with the possibilities, but in the end, its a big Pthhhht.

“The Front Room (2024) is a psychological horror-thriller film about a newly pregnant young woman, Belinda (Brandy Norwood), whose life falls apart when her estranged, hyper-religious, and racist mother-in-law, Solange (Kathryn Hunter), moves into their home after the death of her husband. The film focuses on the psychological warfare and unsettling, often gross, antics Solange uses to torment Belinda and claim the unborn child.”

Perfect Pair

Two of the three main characters really stood out for me and carried this film:

Brandy (as Belinda) was great. She is best known for her singing career, topping chart after chart in the 90s, songs such as “The Boy is Mine”, “I Wanna be Down”, and “Have You Ever” among many others were played endlessly in the radio. Her acting didn’t disappoint, it was smooth, yet it packs a punch and gets your emotional side pumping.

Kathryn Hunter (as Solange) was creepy as fck, and every wife’s worst nightmare. She was exceptional, specially at her age of almost 70. Her portrayal of a fragile, old, hell-originated mother-in-law was spot on. I couldn’t ask for a better casting. Somewhat reminds me of Amy Madigan from Weapons as Aunt Gladys.

Atmospehric Horror

Reminds me of “It Comes At Night (2017)”, full of atmospheric horror. Every scene, you’d feel like there’s something or someone lurking in the dark, waiting to pounce at you at any moment. The Front Room successfully gives this sense of dread, and I love it!

Dark Creepy Music

The music is mellow and shallow, yet it clutches your mind and squeezes it for anxiety. I know my wordings are weird but this is what makes sense for me.

Final Thoughts

It is a cultish-atmospheric and artfully shot film that pulls you in, but will leave you to dry in the end. I love every minute of it, every act that pass, the story gets weirder and my anxiety shoots through the roof. The ending however, I’m feeling torn about it. I wanted more, yet at the same time, it feels like a French-kiss ending.