1408 is a claustrophic thriller that delivers more than its share of jumpy moments.
The movie is inspired by a short story by author Stephen King. John Cusack plays Mike Enslin, a crass writer who makes a living staying in supposedly haunted hotel rooms and writing about them. His experiences feed his cynicism, as he never encounters anything slightly supernatural.
Then one day Enslin gets a mysterious invite to stay in room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, where 56 people have died over the years.
Samuel L. Jackson plays Gerald Olin, the hotel manager insistent on giving Enslin another room. The character is useless, save for the perfectly delivered line, “It’s an evil ******* room.”
Enslin Vs. 1408
The determined Enslin wins, though he’d later regret it. Things start small – a crooked painting and complimentary chocolates mysteriously appearing on the pillows – but it gets ugly fast. The radio turns into a one-hour countdown – a reminder of Olin’s warning that nobody has survived in 1408 for longer than an hour – and keeps playing “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters.
When Enslin gets hurt and tries to escape, the room won’t let him. He’s subjected to visions of previous victims taking their own lives; he sees himself get butchered from behind; and when he tries to tightrope along the window ledge to get to the room next door, the window isn’t there. He’s trapped, and the only way out is death.
To keep the character from being too flat, the writers created a touching back story that nicely reflects Enslin’s denial of the paranormal and gives ammo to the psychological onslaught. The subplot revolves around Enslin’s breakdown after his daughter’s death, after which he left his wife without warning. The room picks up on his guilt and torments his heart and mind equally. One scene in particular puts Cusack’s acting skills to the test.
One-Man Show Never Slows Down
There are plenty of comedic moments to give the viewer time to catch their breath. Like when Enslin is chased back into the room after an attempt to escape through the air vents. The impact to his back knocks the wind out of him and he barely gurgles, “It’s good to be back.”
Cusack’s ability to portray an emotionally flawed, yet universally relatable character always amazes. He distances himself from everybody, making his recorder the only thing willing to listen to him. The cynicism and almost remorseful humour fit him perfectly. More impressive is that he carries the movie along on his own for the most part as his mind is led into new and dark places.
Psychological Wins Over Gore
The best horror movies are the ones that really get in your head. In a gore movie the likes of Hostel, the gore is simply there to disgust. The thrill comes from hoping the good guys get away from the sick and deranged killers. But in the end, it always remains just a movie, a sick voyeuristic pleasure.
However, there is nothing scarier than watching somebody deteriorate into insanity. As the mental walls break down and that voyeurism takes over, the viewer is thrown into a whole new world. It becomes more than a movie. Your senses are heightened as they concentrate to keep a mental compass. As you delve deeper and deeper into this dark realm, you must remember to leave a trail of bread crumbs to lead the way back to sanity at the end of the movie.
The best part about 1408 is you’re always left guessing whether Elsin will find his way back.
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