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.