1408 (2007)

Director:

Mikael Håfström

Writers (WGA):

Matt Greenberg (screenplay) and
Scott Alexander (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 June 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Based on the terrifying story by Stephen King

Plot:

A man who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. Soon after settling in, he confronts genuine terror.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Writer | Debunking | Death | Stephen King

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

John Cusack	...	Mike Enslin
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Gerald Olin
Mary McCormack	...	Lily
Tony Shalhoub	...	Sam Farrell
Len Cariou	...	Mike's Father
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Hotel Engineer
Jasmine Jessica Anthony	...	Katie
Paul Birchard	...	Mr. Innkeeper
Margot Leicester	...	Mrs. Innkeeper
Walter Lewis	...	Book Store Cashier
Eric Meyers	...	Man #1 at Book Signing
David Nicholson	...	Man #2 at Book Signing
Holly Hayes	...	Lady at Book Signing
Alexandra Silber	...	Young Woman at Book Signing
Johann Urb	...	Surfer Dude

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.

Runtime:

104 min | 112 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43561) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-13 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Malaysia:18PL | Italy:T | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Chile:Y7 | Argentina:13 | France:U (with warning) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Israel:16 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Iceland:16 | South Africa:13V | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Denmark:15

Filming Locations:

Elstree Film Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

One of the first victims of the room was named "Grady." Grady was a character in "The Shining," Stephen King's other horror story about a hotel.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: While Mike Enslin is lying on the floor, his hand goes in and out of the bed comforter repeatedly. However, as this happens with each change of shot and is a very obvious inconsistency, it's almost certainly deliberate and done for thematic effect. Especially as, moments later, he keeps changing between lying down and being propped up in between shots, apparently without moving.

Quotes:

Mike Enslin: [staring at the endless door] Open it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 2007 MTV Movie Awards (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Weight

different, subtle, and very, very good

Please note that this review refers to the theatrical version, and not the Director's Cut DVD release which features a completely different ending.

Mike Enslin is a cynic. He is the author of books that detail and debunk popular ghost stories and haunted hot-spots, and it quickly becomes obvious that he is somewhat disenchanted with the life that he leads. That is, of course, until he receives an invitation to Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel, a room in which lies his and arguably John Cusack's biggest challenge yet.

It soon becomes apparent that 1408 is not your standard horror movie, as what follows, after an enjoyably creepy encounter with hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L Jackson), is essentially 90 minutes of John Cusack in a room. On his own. Save for, of course, whatever lurks inside 1408. It is a challenge that Cusack rises to expertly; we all know he's a good actor and a brilliant everyman (I don't remember a film in which I've wanted to see him crash and burn), but 1408 allows him to display his range to great effect as the room confronts him with the physical dangers of the present and the emotional tragedies of his past.

While it's relatively light on big scares, 1408 instead creates a powerful sense of unease that combines wonderfully with Cusack's portrayal of a man enduring his own private hell. Each challenge thrown up by the room takes the movie somewhere new and unexpected, ensuring that the movie never really gets tired or repetitive, and as a result each scene in the room is tense, surprising, and very, very creepy. However, that's not to say that it doesn't lose its way occasionally. Some of the CGI usage is quite ineffective, and about two-thirds through the movie it feels like it's about to go the wrong way, but it recovers well for the final act, and its haunting ending ensures that you'll remember it long after you leave the theatre.

A brilliantly acted, well developed version of King's short story, 1408 is a different type of horror movie, but in all the right ways. Very good!