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Secret Mall Apartment

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2:14

Secret Mall Apartment

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1h 31m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In 2003, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside the busy Providence Place Mall and kept it going for four years, filming everything along the way. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret mall apartment became an incredibly meaningful act for all the participants, at once an act of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, and a 750 square foot space that sticks it to the man.

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Critics Consensus

Secret Mall Apartment unspools a wild story full of relatable wish fulfillment and social commentary, making for a highly entertaining treatise on artistic expression.

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Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Thanks to its thoughtful protagonists and filmmaker Jeremy Workman, what starts out as a quirky human interest story becomes a profoundly humane portrait of creativity and community.

Rated: 3/4

May 9, 2025

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Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

It’s consistently, thoughtfully engaging. And, yes, often very funny in its open-hearted embrace of the DIY spirit, legal or otherwise.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 17, 2025

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Kimber Myers

Crooked Marquee

For all its big ideas, Secret Mall Apartment is full of charm and wonder. This is a breezy 91 minutes to spend with this idealistic group of people, and it’s easy to see why they kept coming back to the space they created, despite its dangers.

Rated: B+

Apr 11, 2025

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Chase Hutchinson

The Inlander (Spokane, WA)

Secret Mall Apartment both is and isn't about a secret mall apartment, though the film becomes much like the home the group made: a way of carving out a space for connection where there otherwise is none.

Rated: 3/4

May 15, 2025

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

If you can find Secret Mall Apartment I highly recommend it.

May 15, 2025

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Sean P. Means

The Movie Cricket

The second half of the documentary consists of an effort by the production to duplicate the apartment on a soundstage, a move that’s too cutesy for the movie’s own good.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 10, 2025

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Kathy L

Use of shifting timeline. Especially appreciated final updaftes

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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barbara

What a great story not only of the apartment but the great art work that is done. Following @tapeart on instagram to see all they are doing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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Jeannette

Loved the history of how Providence looked back then and now. Love seeing old footage and its amazing the story content. Incredible story about all the artists.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

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erika

Fabulous, life affirming in the spirit of art from the heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Evelyn

Great documentary! I was tuned in from start to finish. Also had some good laughs. Heard this story growing up but to see actual footage was great. Love the representation of Providence

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Dave W

Very well done documentary that brought you into the movie. Informative and entertaining at the same. And if you live near Providence like I do seeing it in the building it took place adds to the experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

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Jeremy Workman

Director

Jeremy Workman

Producer

Jesse Eisenberg

Executive Producer

Allen Altman

Executive Producer

Cathie Altman

Executive Producer

Matthew Spain

Executive Producer

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Secret Mall Apartment: Trailer 1

2:14

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Synopsis

In 2003, eight Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment inside the busy Providence Place Mall and kept it going for four years, filming everything along the way. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret mall apartment became an incredibly meaningful act for all the participants, at once an act of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, and a 750 square foot space that sticks it to the man.

Director: Jeremy Workman
Producer: Jeremy Workman
Distributor: Wheelhouse Creative
Production Co: Wheelhouse Creative, Wildbrush Media, Wrong Turn Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 21, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.5K
Runtime: 1h 31m