Eight dollars for Beer Nuts? This room is evil!

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2008)

Mike Enslin, a confirmed cynic, has made his living by staying in haunted hotels and then writing about them. He receives an anonymous postcard from the Dolphin Hotel in New York. The postcard simply states, "Do not enter 1408." Despite various warnings, chiefly from the Hotel's Manager, Gerald Olin, Mike Enslin enters 1408.
1408 is the creepiest film I have seen in quite some time. In the first twenty minutes, nothing much happens in terms of scares. The first few scenes of the movie allow you to get to know the central character, which is a very good plot device for any horror movie. After all, if an audience doesn't care about the star, they will not bat an eye during his ever- increasing torment. John Cusack portrays the character of Mike Enslin with gusto. Cusack, brings to life an individual who is funny, cynical, and on the brink of becoming an alcoholic.
When Enslin meets Gerald Olin (a slick and subtle performance by Samuel L. Jackson), Olin tries his best to convince Enslin not to stay in 1408. But, of course, this only intrigues Enslin more, and he is determined to spend the night there.
When Enslin crosses the threshold of 1408, the pace of the movie steps up a notch. From that point on, the audience is treated to a bombardment of either subtle psychological mind games or violent, in-your-face, shockers. However, the tension does tend to dissipate a few times during the movie. I don't think ghosts should ever be seen in clear focus, walking slowly around a haunted room. And Enslin's descent into mania becomes a bit too frenzied at times.
There is nothing very original in 1408. The movie uses some of the classic horror movie tricks. Long camera angles, references to the number 13, loud bangs, and flashing images are all utilized. But I can forgive 1408 for using these obvious scare tactics, because they have been melded together to create the best possible impact and certainly will have a lot of the audience on the edge of their seats.
In conclusion, despite the slight lapses in tension and a lack of any real originality 1408 is destined to become a classic horror movie. In my opinion, it is the spookiest film produced since Blair Witch.