1408 — *** — John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack; rated PG-13 (violence, profanity, brief gore, brief drugs, vulgarity, nude artwork)
"1408" offers proof that you really can make a creepy and effective, PG-13-rated horror movie.
A supernatural thriller that features next to no blood or graphic gore, this one relies instead on atmosphere.
That might seem a bit "quaint" by today's horror standards, but it's refreshing to watch a scary movie that doesn't resort to cheap devices and lowest-common-denominator stylings.
The film adapts yet another a Stephen King short story, this one from his "Everything's Eventual" collection. The title, "1408," refers to a mysterious room in a New York hotel where more than four dozen guests have met their doom.
The room's current occupant is Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a cynical author who's debunked similar supposedly haunted spots around the country. He's a bit skeptical about this one, though the Dolphin's manager (Samuel L. Jackson) is reluctant to let him stay in the room.
And, as it turns out, he has good reason for that. Once he's in the room, Mike, who's still haunted by the death of his daughter (Jasmine Jessica Anthony), begins suffering from vivid hallucinations, and witnesses other phenomena he can't explain. What's worse, once Mike has finally had enough weirdness, he discovers he can't leave.
The weak spot here is a series of false endings, though that can be forgiven since the ride is fun.
Filmmaker Mikael Hafstrom (2005's "Derailed") and three credited screenwriters build tension by making us question whether this is really happening to Mike. And the witty script includes a rant about hotel conditions that might give you pause next time you have to stay in guest lodgings — with a bad-pun bit of dialogue from Jackson that has to be heard to be believed.
Hafstrom also gets strong performances from Cusack as the increasingly unhinged writer, a rather restrained Jackson as the cryptic hotel manager, and Mary McCormack, who plays Mike's estranged wife.
"1408" is rated PG-13 for disturbing violent imagery (dead bodies and suicidal acts) and assorted mayhem (fire and water-caused damage), scattered profanity (including one usage of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), brief gore, brief drug references, some crude slang terms, and glimpses of nude artwork. Running time: 99 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com