Movie stars Brandy Norwood and Andrew Burlap are Belinda and Norman—a young, married couple, expecting a child. Unfortunately, the couple appears to have zero chemistry which makes it really hard to root for them to stick together through the hardships to come. When Norman’s estranged father dies, he unexpectedly inherits everything—on one condition: he must take in his stepmother, Solange, who he hasn’t mentioned once to Belinda. It’s a bizarre turn, considering Norman’s lack of contact with his family for years, and the decision to take her in feels forced, no matter how high the inheritance. Although the setup implies suspense and concealed familial terrors, it ultimately falls short of expectations.
With a disconnected storyline and characters who fail to engage, The Front Room unfortunately misses its potential, offering a comedic horror experience where the scariest part is the husband’s absolute ineptitude.
Once Solange moves in, things take a strange and stifling turn. Solange, who brings with her a deeply religious outlook, begins asserting control over the household with little regard for Belinda’s discomfort or the baby’s space. More tension could have been built here, but it’s derailed by Solange’s character quirks that are introduced without proper follow-through. Not only does she appear to have hints of supernatural abilities but she also has a dark history as a “Daughter of the Confederacy.” However, these plot points are never really explored in a satisfying way, leaving them unresolved and the audience in turn is left more confused than unnerved.
When Belinda gives birth, Solange becomes more demanding, both physically and mentally. Norman, who has been pretty much useless for the entirety of the movie anyway, leaves Belinda alone to care for the baby and his increasingly difficult, incontinent stepmother while he escapes to work. The lack of support, paired with his emotional detachment, shifts the film’s tone from horror to frustration. Any potential fear is undercut by the simple exhaustion of watching Belinda shoulder everything with no help or even sympathy from Norman.
On a more positive note, The Front Room has beautiful cinematography, provided by Ava Berkofsky, a Welsh cinematographer known for their striking visuals and atmospheric lighting. However, visual appeal alone can’t redeem the film’s weak storytelling. With a disconnected storyline and characters who fail to engage, The Front Room unfortunately misses its potential, offering a comedic horror experience where the scariest part is the husband’s absolute ineptitude.
