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1408

John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson (Pres/Narr) and Mary McCormack

Our Price: £4.41 + Free UK Delivery

RRP: ~~£19.99~~. You Save: £15.58

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Description

The 15 rating given to 1408 belies this films truly terrifying effects on its audience. Though its far less gory than its peers it has frightening moments and a creepy mood throughout. John Cusack (IDENTITY) plays Mike Enslin a gifted writer who has turned his talents to paranormal travel books. His stays in haunted hotels never shake him but hes intrigued by New Yorks Dolphin Hotel. Room 1408 has been the site of dozens of deaths and this is a selling point for the sceptic in Mike. Despite the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson BLACK SNAKE MOAN) Mike resolves to stay in the haunted room. No one has lasted more than an hour in 1408 and Mike has his work cut out for him. Though Cusack got his acting pedigree in comedies he proves hes able to adeptly carry a horror film. He occupies practically every frame of the film often alone and hes great at making the audience share in his fear. This is the second English-language film from director Mikael Hafstrom (DERAILED) and he does a good job of establishing tension. A lot of the credit is due to the films sound crew whose detailed work goes far in giving 1408 its unsettling feeling. Like THE SHINING this is based on the writing of horror maestro Stephen King and its a similarly creepy tale set in a hotel. But in its execution 1408 is far more indebted to classic horror films such as the original 1963 version of THE HAUNTING.

1408 Review

Directed by Mikael Hafstrom and based on a Stephen King story, "1408" stars John Cusack as horror writer Mike Enslin, who specialises in discrediting paranormal events. His latest project is entitled "Ten Nights In Haunted Hotel Rooms", so when he hears that there have been a series of unexplained deaths in room 1408 at New York's Dolphin Hotel, his professional curiosity is understandably piqued. Ignoring the warnings from the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson), Enslin checks in, only to discover that the room is in fact EVIL and won't let him check out…alive.

This is John Cusack's best role in ages and he's on top form here as Enslin, a world-weary man who's chosen to deal with a life-shattering tragedy by submerging himself in work. It's a fragile performance that teeters on the edge of insanity and you really care what happens to him as a result. As for Samuel L Jackson, he must have a great agent because he gets equal billing with Cusack on the posters, despite only appearing in a couple of scenes. This is pretty much Cusack's film from beginning to end, though there's good work from Mary McCormack as Enslin's estranged wife.

Oscar-nominated Swedish director Hafstrom maintains an effectively creepy atmosphere throughout. The first half of the film is terrific, with superbly orchestrated suspense scenes gradually giving way to some genuinely unsettling sequences. It's a risk to have the entire film take place in one room but it pays off because by the end you'll be as desperate to leave room 1408 as Cusack is.

The only problem with "1408" is that it doesn't quite know when to end and falls victim to Multiple Ending Syndrome as a result. However, for the most part, it's a superbly directed and thoroughly enjoyable supernatural thriller. Worth seeing.