Room Service Please!

Rating: 7/10 (21 October 2007)

Director Mikael Hafstrom creates an eerie, fast-paced, tense thriller here about a cynical writer of haunted homes and hotels that goes to the Dolphin Hotel in New York City to investigate the paranormal attributes of a specific room - 1408. Based on a short story by Stephen King, 1408 delivers in terms of genuine scares, psychological horror, and first-rate special effects. John Cusak plays the writer who has been jaded by what the hand life has dealt him with charisma, wit, and and great skill. Cusak's Mr. Enslin is very believable and that is so necessary for a film that is relies so heavily on one performance - for you see, Cusak is acting against the room throughout the bulk of the film. An evil room that has been responsible for 56 deaths. Supporting performers are very good as well with Samuel Jackson giving a high-octane performance as the manager of the hotel pleading Cusak to not stay in this room. The film is shot with breathtaking attention to detail. The hotel itself has a life of its own as does the dreaded room. The script keeps you guessing what will happen and many might object to what they might perceive as a lack of real explanation by the film's close. This ending was just right I thought for a thriller based on so many psychological elements. 1408 is a rare horror treat these days with its innovative story, solid acting, and reliance on the viewer's imagination(to some degree at least).