1408 (2007)
Review by Nightscares Reborn
Adapted from the terrifying short story by suspense master, Stephen King, 1408 tells of renowned horror novelist Mike Enslin (John Cusack) believes only in what he can see with his own two eyes. But after a string of bestsellers discrediting paranormal events in the most infamous haunted houses and graveyards around the world, he has no real proof of of the afterlife. Enslin’s phantom-free run of long and lonely nights is about to change forever when he checks into suite 1408 of the notorious Dolphin Hotel for his latest project, “Ten Nights in Haunted Hotel Rooms.” Defying the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L Jackson), the author is the first person in years to stay in the reputedly haunted room. Another bestseller may be imminent, but what Mike Enslin is about to experience is no myth, as 1408 truly is a room where the guests check in but they don’t check out.
I will admit deep within my mind I had some doubt about 1408, especially with the film carrying a PG-13 rating. Would this film just be another letdown making me wonder why I even bothered wasting my hard earned money to go see it or would it be something that would chill me to the bone? Let me tell you, the second notion has it.
Now most King fans would argue that this film does not live up to their expectations or the story itself. Me on the other hand, when I go to see a film based around a novel or such, I learned not to expect that it would live up to the story it’s based on. What horror film based around a novel or game really does? What I did expect was going to see a film that would draw me in and fill me with chills to the bone. And that’s exactly what 1408 has done.
John Cusack is just amazing in his performance as Mike Enslin, a novelist who writes books discrediting paranormal events. He receives a postcard from New York about a room, 1408, at the Dolphin Hotel that has been the host of some seemingly bizarre deaths. From this point Mike decides to pay a visit to the hotel in hopes for a final story for his latest novel. Being one who doesn’t believe in God, the afterlife or the paranormal, he believes this will be just another story created by a place just seeking world wide recognition. Instead what he finds is something that will change his beliefs forever.
Once he arrives at the hotel he is met with strong objections from Mr. Olin (Jackson), who tries persuading Mike in anyway he can about staying in another room instead of room 1408. However, all this does is met with even more objections from Mike who states he only writes to give people the truth. Finally Mr. Olin, who makes it his point that he doesn’t care about him, he just gets tired of cleaning up the mess that is left behind, gives in and gives him the key to 1408. Once in the room Mike soon comes face to face with the truth he so heartily denies. Now one question remains – will he survive the night or will Mike become another causality of the evil that lives in this room known as 1408?
Admittedly, the movie does start off a bit slow and there are a few far-fetched scenes that do seem a bit pointless for some viewers. When Mike calls his boss, or former boss perhaps (not much detail is given into this) about if the hotel can keep him from staying in the room, there is talk about his returning to New York after some unfortunate past event involving him and his wife. It’s not until midway into the film that the events come to unfold about this past history of his. However, once told, it does give us insight on why Mike has his doubts about God and supernatural events.
From then on the chills are definitely there to deliver and the musical score fits in perfectly to set the mood for each scene. The writing for each scene is done in a brilliant manner and the directing is just simply amazing as is the acting. All in all, I say this is a perfect horror film for fans who like to be scared.
1408 is chilling, delivers on the scares and is to the point of being perfect for any horror fan that appreciates true spine-tingling terror without all the gore that most horror films seem to rely on these days. When you go see a PG-13 horror film and it has people screaming during scenes that most R rated film do not, you know you have a true, to the heart, horror film in front of you.
So what are you waiting for? Go see 1408! Trust me, it’s well worth the money spent.
Popularity: 3% [?]
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