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A24 has hyped “The Front Room” as the new “Rosemary’s Baby,” and if you were hoping for a chilling tale of a cult seizing an unborn child’s soul, prepare to be surprised. The trailer does a fantastic job of setting you up for something sinister while cleverly dodging the actual plot details—and it’s definitely a gag!

So, what’s The Front Room really about? It stars Brandy Norwood as Belinda, an anthropology professor who’s pregnant with her second child after a heartbreaking loss. As her pregnancy progresses, her career takes a nosedive, forcing her to quit her job and leaving the couple in a financial bind. Belinda is married to Norman (Andrew Burnap), a paralegal who just found out his father has passed away. In a twist, his father’s last request is for him to invite his emotionally abusive and ultra-religious stepmother, Solange (Kathryn Hunter), to live with them. In return, she’ll leave them a hefty inheritance—just what they need before the baby arrives.

But here’s the kicker: Solange is old, mean, and let’s not forget, racist. She can barely walk, and Norman is terrified of her. Yet, Belinda insists they take her in, which feels like they’ve made a deal with the devil—or should I say, the mother-in-law from hell? Yes, all hell has officially moved in!

If you’re expecting a traditional horror demon or monster, guess what? The real horror is Solange herself. No shape-shifting monsters here; she’s all too human, and trust me, her manipulative, condescending nature is terrifying enough. She takes over “the front room” of their house—intended for their baby—and becomes as needy as a newborn. Ironically, while they prepare for their child, Solange seems to regress further into an infantile state. By the time the baby arrives, it’s clear that Solange is receiving more attention than the actual newborn.

Now, here’s where it gets really gross. This isn’t your typical horror flick with slashing or blood and gore; The new way to get sick to your stomach is to get ready for a full-on assault of bodily fluids that will have you gagging! We’re talking bile, feces, urine, spit, and even breast milk. You read that right—breast milk! The moment Solange moves in, Belinda and Norman are thrown into a caregiving nightmare, desperately trying to manage Solange’s rapid decline and all the mess that comes with it.

There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Brandy’s return to the horror genre since her iconic role in “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” She made history as the first leading Black woman to survive in a horror film, paving the way for modern horror narratives, so fans are eager to see what she brings to the table this time around.

This film delivers a unique kind of horror survival story—one that revolves around navigating life with an elderly, malevolent mother-in-law who just can’t stop soiling herself. The film explores deeper themes, particularly the historical portrayal of Black women in roles as caregivers and domestic workers, often seen in pre-Civil Rights cinema.

In The Front Room, Brandy’s character, Belinda, embodies kindness and mercy toward her new mother-in-law, despite the occasional nod to the underlying issues of racism. However, the real tension doesn’t stem from race; it comes from the manipulative dynamics of aging, personal misery, and financial exploitation.

But the real tension comes from the manipulative nature of Solange, who uses her declining health as a weapon. At times, she intentionally defecates and urinates on herself as a twisted form of rebellion against Belinda and Norman.

Belinda handles most of the caregiving, but it’s refreshing to see Norman step up, even though Solange has clearly traumatized him in the past. Together, they try to provide empathetic care for Solange while also preparing for their new baby.

In conclusion, A24’s The Front Room isn’t quite the scare-fest you might expect, especially with a monster-in-law that’s more funny than frightening! The real horror here is all about dealing with a stepmother from hell and figuring out how to send her back to where she came from. Get ready to gag more than gasp—you might find yourself laughing way more than screaming! It’s a wild ride that’s both cringe-worthy and entertaining!

THE FRONT ROOM IS NOW IN THEATERS