Apartment 212 / Gnaw (2017) Review – An Average Creature Feature
Apartment 212 (Gnaw): Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A middling and somewhat deceptive entry that struggles to balance character drama with creature thrills. Apartment 212 (also known as Gnaw) markets itself as a visceral body horror experience, yet functions primarily as a slow-paced domestic drama. While Penelope Mitchell delivers a sympathetic lead performance and Kyle Gass provides welcome levity, the film relies too heavily on tired “dybbuk box” tropes without adding anything new. This 2.5 star effort is a mixed bag that might satisfy fans of light psychological thrillers, but it will likely leave gore-hounds disappointed by the lack of impactful effects. It is a watchable but ultimately forgettable film that fails to capitalise on its potential, resulting in a threadbare story that feels overstretched even at ninety minutes.
Details: Director: Haylar Garcia | Cast: Penelope Mitchell, Kyle Gass, Chris Johnson | Runtime: 1h 32m | Release Date: 2017
Best for: Fans of “cursed object” horror and those who enjoy slow-burn dramas about overcoming trauma with a supernatural twist.
Worth noting: The film was released under two titles: Gnaw, highlighting the physical curse, and Apartment 212, focusing on the setting.
Where to Watch: Tubi (Free), Amazon🛒, Vudu
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
(A well-acted but tonally confused horror that promises visceral body horror but delivers a predictable character drama instead.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror and to another horror movie review. Today we are taking a look at Gnaw. I believe this movie is also known as Apartment 212.
Table of Contents
An apartment infested with something worse than bed bugs
Gnaw (Apartment 212) follows the story of Jennifer (Penelope Mitchell). Jennifer is moving to an apartment complex after suffering abuse at the hands of her husband. Determined to make something of herself, she applies for jobs but is rejected due to lack of experience.
Jennifer notices that her neighbour is covered in sores and she hears her crying all throughout the night. One day, out of the blue, her neighbour commits suicide. Jennifer takes a discarded box that belonged to her and, all of a sudden, she begins to suffer her own nightmare. What could be the cause?
We’ve explained the ending to this one so if you want to go and check that out, click the following link: Apartment 212 (Gnaw) Ending Explained. Keep in mind, only view the article if you have already watched the movie. Unlike our reviews, Ending Explained articles are not spoiler free.
Body horror
Body horror is a very interesting sub-genre. The vast majority of horror movies scare you in fairly conventional ways. Whether it is a bad guy chasing vulnerable people, paranormal happenings tormenting a family, uncomfortable and scary domestic situations etc etc. Horror typically follows a well worn blueprint.
“Body horror is one of the few horror sub-genres that does not require an antagonist. It is the self-destruction of the human body that makes this type of movie so scary.”
Body horror strays from that blueprint in quite a significant way. Body horror is one of the few horror sub-genres that doesn’t require an antagonist. It is the self-destruction of the human body that makes this type of movie so scary. The thought that a person could begin rotting away is a very visceral fear and incredibly effective. Whether the person is transforming into something different or is just ill, body horror taps into a very specific type of fear present in all of us.
You always know what to expect with these movies. Chunks of flesh coming away from the bone, teeth being pulled out and dropped into the sink, painful looking open wounds. It is real “turn away from the TV” stuff. Sure, it is a little overdone in this day and age but it is no less wince-inducing. Body horror can be some of the absolute scariest horror around. Without question!
A bit of a bait and switch
So why am I mentioning body horror, here? Well, that’s what I thought I was getting into when I went into Gnaw. The cover sure as hell suggested that: a woman’s naked back covered in open wounds. I thought this would be the type of movie that would turn your stomach. You know? The kind you don’t eat while watching. Well, boy was I disappointed.
I am here to warn you that if you go into this movie expecting that, you will leave unsatisfied. The body horror here is a very minor part of it. Our protagonist, Jennifer, does suffer some nasty wounds but, despite that, it really isn’t the focus at all. This is not the place to go looking for amazing makeup effects. You will not find nails being peeled off or rotten chunks of flesh here. This is a completely different type of horror movie.
“Apartment 212 is far more of a creature movie than body horror. For much of its length, it could accurately be described as a boring domestic drama.”
Apartment 212 (Gnaw) is far more of a creature movie. It may not seem it for at least 40 minutes, however. There is a tremendous focus on establishing the scene. Indeed, for much of its length, Gnaw could accurately be described as a domestic drama. Sure, a boring domestic drama, but a domestic drama nonetheless. It’s about a woman escaping domestic abuse finding herself in possession of some type of dybbuk box that will make her life a hell of a lot worse. Sure, there are a few moments of body horror; Jennifer wakes up covered in sores, but it is a fairly minor part of the film.
Predictable, slow and lacking in scares
The lack of body horror here is just a microcosm of the bigger issue. Apartment 212 is a disappointing movie that never delivers on what it promises. The premise here is a well worn one. Dybbuk boxes are hugely popular in horror at the moment and the idea feels a bit tired, already. Haylar Garcia just fails to do anything interesting with the concept. It feels like a long, boring, domestic drama with a few horror elements.
Garcia tries to subvert expectation a little towards the latter half of the movie, though you probably will have seen the twist coming. A predictable ending provides a yawn-inducing full stop at the end of this movie – a movie that is hard to care about. It is really difficult to see how this could have been better.
The concept itself is tired. As far as horror goes, this is a threadbare blanket without much fabric left. There isn’t much left to be done. Taking the same tired old tropes and placing them in a different domestic setting while hoping for the best won’t cut it. Even with a decent protagonist. That does bring me on to my next point though.
A few plus points
There are a few bright spots here and there. Penelope Mitchell, as Jennifer, is great. Her performance is both sympathetic and relatable. She has excellent use of facial expressions and she also does a great job expressing emotion. Mitchell is very believable when reacting to the horribly itchy sores. That is, obviously, important given the theme of the movie. All in all, she is really fitting in the lead role.
Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass, as Terry, is tons of fun but that probably doesn’t even need to be said. His cheesy dad jokes and affable personality add a sense of warmth to the movie. As Jennifer’s only real friend, he acts as something of a sidekick at times which adds a bit of depth and makes for some interesting interactions. Chris Johnson, as Jennifer’s husband Boyd, is pretty bad. Johnson’s “bad boy” act feels horribly plastic and out of place.
“Apartment 212 is not a terrible movie; it just misrepresents itself and does not do anything all that new. It is a bit boring but worth a watch for fans of dybbuk box horror.”
The story can be fairly engaging. Jennifer is a likeable character and you want her to succeed. You want her to get past her husband’s abuse and do well. That makes her story easy to invest in. Apartment 212 can be funny at times, as well. Much of this is down to the chemistry between Jennifer and Terry. The other residents of the complex can also be amusing. It’s not a particularly heavy movie that demands a lot of attention. From this perspective, it is quite enjoyable.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Penelope Mitchell: Anchors the film with a relatable and expressive performance, making her character’s journey from victim to survivor feel authentic.
- Kyle Gass: Brings a genuine sense of charm and warmth to the proceedings, providing an effective emotional counterbalance to the darker themes.
- Engaging Protagonist: Unlike many horror leads, Jennifer is easy to root for, which helps maintain interest during the slower stretches of the plot.
The Bad
- Misleading Marketing: The heavy focus on body horror in the promotional material is not reflected in the final product, leading to a “bait and switch” feeling.
- Slow Pacing: The film takes a long time to establish its supernatural threat, often feeling more like a mediocre drama than a horror movie.
- Tired Concept: The use of a “dybbuk box” as a primary plot device feels unoriginal and fails to offer any new or surprising elements.
The Ugly: The Villainous Husband. Chris Johnson’s performance feels like a cartoonish “bad boy” stereotype that lacks the nuance or menace required for the role.
Should You Watch Apartment 212?
Only if you are a completionist of creature features or dybbuk box stories. It is a 2.5 star film that is carried by its leads but hampered by a lack of innovation. While it is perfectly watchable and features a few funny moments, it never truly commits to its horror elements enough to recommend it over superior body horror classics. It is a decent “background” watch, but nothing more.
You might also like:
- Red Rooms (2023) review – A patient and cold exploration of hybristophilia and the Dark Web
- Clickbait: Unfollowed (2024) Review – A Spiteful and Silly Influencer Slasher
- Skinamarink (2022) Ending Explained – Nightmare, Coma, or Hell?
- How Clark Griswold destroyed John Carpenter’s dark Sci-Fi thriller – The story of Memoirs of an Invisible Man
- Dead End (2003) Review – A Quirky and Surreal Christmas Nightmare
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
Support the Site Knockout Horror is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Basically, if you click a link to rent or buy a movie, we may earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep the lights on and the nightmares coming. Don't worry, we will never recommend a movie purely to generate clicks. If it's bad, we will tell you.
Disclaimer: Images, posters, and video stills used in this review are the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included here for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and review under fair use. Knockout Horror makes no claim of ownership and encourages readers to support the official release of all films discussed.
