One of the Few Truly Good Modern Haunted House Stories

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2007)

Michael Enslin is a hack writer who travels the country writing about haunted mansions, hotels and cottages... despite not believing in ghosts, poltergeists or even gods. He will have to face his nihilism in room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel in New York, where not only apparent ghosts but also his tormented soul comes to get him in his own little prison of the mind.
This great (and, in my opinion, overlooked) film comes from Mikael Håfström, director of one of 2005's better and more psychologically intense films, "Derailed". If you saw "Derailed", you know what this man is capable of as far as setting a very dark and gritty tone to his movies. Where that film explored rape, kidnapping and blackmail, here we examine why God allows children to die and how families get torn apart in the process (which, while still sad, is far less messy for the viewer).
Almost all the great horror tricks are employed here (with the notable exception of the cat fake-out). Bleeding walls, screaming children, hammer-wielding psychos, and some new ideas I've never seen before. One scene where Enslin sees a vision across the street is both creepy and memorable. I was worried when I saw this was Stephen King movie and even ore worried knowing it was PG-13, but they pushed the envelope every chance they got. I never had a moment to be let down in the scary department (yes, I jumped a few times -- even this veteran is not immune).
What makes this a more powerful film is that while the superficial story is a man in a haunted room, the real story is his relationship with his wife and daughter. The audience is left being jolted between terror and sadness, not being sure whether to cover their eyes in fright or wipe the tears from their eyes from the family drama. Again, Håfström knows how to draw tension amongst families. And John Cusack, who is consistently a powerful actor, is able to fill the shoes given to him.
If you went to this movie to see Samuel L. Jackson, you went for the wrong reason, as his role is relatively minor (though, not at all strange, he's the character who delivers the PG-13's one f-word). He does well, there's just not that much of him. What started to lose me (and made me think for a while that I'd have to lower my grade on this one) was the film's length. Although the movie is very good, it carries on a bit long and there are many times where it seems like it should end but just keeps going. I fear that while this works alright in theaters, where complete attention is given, this might lose a lot of viewers when the film comes to video. I was never "fed up", but I can't deny as much as I loved it I was also fidgety.
When's the last time you saw a good haunted house film? A long time. As much as you might have loved Ryan Reynolds getting naked in "Amityville Horror", you'll love Cusack (not getting naked) much more in this one. Scary creatures and psychological madness combine for what is the horror thriller of 2007 so far. Catch it while in theaters, if possible. The surround-sound experience will really drive this one home. Yes sir, I like it.