1408 is not a Horror movie in the traditional sense as the movie is really a “Psychological Horror” movie that twists and bends your mind in multiple directions forcing you to question everything you see and hear.

Mike Enslin who is portrayed by John Cusack has become a skeptic when it comes to the supernatural. He spends all of his time seeking the confirmation that the dead still walk the earth after death. His fascination with the supernatural intensifies following the death of his daughter. Cusack plays the role convincingly as he chops up the statements made by hotel owners as nothing more than Urban Legends and marketing ploys by hotels and motels desperate for business in the day of mega hotel chains. His fascination leads to an estranged relationship with his wife whom he has not seem in over a year. I found it strange that she had not moved on with her life but I suppose the death of a child does all kinds of things to people.

One day Mike receives a postcard from the Dolphin hotel that warns him not to enter 1408. Naturally he attempts to book the room and is denied regardless of date. He then seeks a legal method to force the Hotel Manager Gerald Olin (played by Samuel L. Jackson) to let him stay in the room after Olin does everything he can to convince him not to stay in the room. Olin explains that no one has lasted more than 1 HOUR in 1408. After Olin provides extensive proof that something is not right with the room, Enslin still insists and mocks Olin with a sarcastic question in regards to “is the room haunted”. Olin replies, “NO”, it is an EVIL FUCKING ROOM (love that part). I like the choice of the word “EVIL” as it implies more than just random sightings of Ghosts and what not. Samuel L. Jackson is very intense and devoted to the character of Gerald Olin. His demeanor is enough to convince me not to stay in the room but Enslin is a non-believer at this point and will listen to no one. The conversation between Enslin and Olin is entertaining and surreal, ending with Enslin getting the key. Olin escorts him to the 14th floor and on the way explains how Hotel management and maids deal with the room (I will not spoil). Once they reach the 14th floor, Olin refuses to leave the elevator telling Enslin, “This is as close as I get to room 1408”. Enslin leaves the elevator and walks towards this room. I like what happens next. Another elevator door opens just as he walks past. The elevator opening was like a “last chance” for him to chance his mind. He even stops and thinks about it for a few seconds (very cool).

From this point forward the movie moves a little slow until Enslin spends a few minutes in the room with the suspense kicking into high gear when the alarm clock consistently plays loud music and then starts to countdown from 60:00 (minutes and not hours), even after the power cord was unplugged from the wall. I like how the room reacts to the occupant with wicked mind games. The horror comes from not knowing what is real and what is an illusion. Throughout his time in the room the atmosphere becomes think and unsettling as the EVIL can come from anywhere at anytime. One example is when he smashed his hand (actually room) in the window and used the bathroom facet to clean the wound (that was bleeding pretty good). While the water was running it turned “Scolding Hot” burning his hands. As the clock counts down the psychological horror continues wearing Enslin down. One always pleasant side to any movie is comedy. Throughout his captivity in the room, Enslin never loses his sense of Horror. Once example is when he tries to escape in the vents and is chased back to his room by some dead (very dead) dude. He falls through the vent and says, “Good to be back”. I will not divulge anymore details but I can tell you that this movie is very suspenseful, a little scary and psychologically abusive. This movie is worth seeing and will leaving you asking questions until the very end (literally). Most of all the movie does not rely on “Torture Porn” for entertainment.

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Editor - www.hidef.com

"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

I agree with you on this review. I loved the movie. It really does mess with your mind like no movie iv seen before.

You were right.. The movie is quite the head trip.. I enjoyed it a lot.. Hope to see more movies like this.

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Editor - www.hidef.com

"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

Is this like the first time we have agreed on anything?