very effective genre film

Rating: Null/10 (25 April 2003)

Gripping, clever, unconventional horror-thriller takes a familiar premise and puts a unique spin on it. Ten strangers get stranded at a dilapidated, middle of nowhere motel one dark and stormy night. Their chance encounter soon turns into a desperate fight for survival as they mysteriously begin to die, one by one, gradually leading them to become suspicious of one another. A smart and well-conceived thriller with plenty of twists, surprises, and an effectively shocking finale. A step above the norm for this genre as it's intricate, eerie, and very suspenseful, not to mention well-performed by a unique and talented ensemble of actors who each bring their own little niche to the film. ***