Although somewhat more cerebral than viscerally frightening, "1408" delivers its share of shocks and frights, and viewers will stay in their seats not to miss the film's twists and swerves.
Just when you thought it was safe to check into a New York City hotel, along comes Mikael Hafstrom's chilling "1408." Not since Norman Bates terrorized guests at his motel has a paying customer received such treatment during a night's lodging. The last shot is of him finishing his cigarette and walking towards the door just as he vanishes. We see a specter Mike Enslin staring out the window. Gerald catches his breath, starting his car and driving off. He looks back at the girl who has found her dad that was looking for her. Gerald jumps but the vision quickly disappears. He turns around to look at her and catches a brief vision of Mike Enslin in his back seat, hideously burned. As he listens, he sees a young girl in his rear-view mirror waving in his direction. Gerald plays it and hears the same dialog between Mike and his daughter heard at the end of the theatrical release. Gerald returns to his car and opens the box, which contains the nightgown that was sent through the fax machine as well and the burned tape recorder. Lily, in too much grief to listen, cuts him off and refuses to accept the box. He offers it to Lily while also trying to explain, with a sense of hope, that Mike's death of was not in vain and that because of his actions no one else will *ever be able to stay in room 1408. He says the box contains some of Mike's belongings still left in the room. Gerald introduces himself and gives his condolences. As the procession ends, Lily walks to her car and is met by Gerald Olin who is carrying a box. Lily is there, being consoled by Mike's agent. The next scene is at Mike's funeral where his coffin is lowered into the ground right next to his daughter's just as the visions 1408 prophesied. The camera zooms in on the numbers on the outside door, just as they melt from the heat. Instead, the last we see of him is when he's lying on his back in the burning room and we hear the words of his daughter "everybody dies".
Mike Enslin sets fire to 1408 but is not rescued by the fire department. But in its execution, 1408 is far more indebted to classic horror films such as the original 1963 version of THE HAUNTING.-***Spoiler Alert - Alternate Ending*** The Director's Cut contains a more tragic ending. Like THE SHINING, this is based on writing from horror master Stephen King, and it's a similarly creepy tale set in a hotel. A lot of the credit is due to the film's sound crew, whose detailed work goes far in giving 1408 its unsettling feeling. This is the second English-language film from director Mikael Hafstrom (DERAILED), and he does a good job of establishing tension.
He's in practically every frame of the film, often alone, and he's great at making the audience share in his fear. Though Cusack got his acting pedigree in comedies, he proves he's able to adeptly carry a horror film. No one has lasted more than an hour in 1408, and Mike has his work cut out for him. Jackson, BLACK SNAKE MOAN), Mike resolves to stay in the haunted room. Despite the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Room 1408 has been the site of dozens of deaths, and this is a selling point for the skeptic in Mike. His stays in haunted hotels never shake him, but he's intrigued by New York's Dolphin Hotel. John Cusack (IDENTITY) plays Mike Enslin, a gifted writer who has turned his talents to paranormal travel books. Though it's far less gory than its peers, it has frightening moments and a creepy mood throughout. The PG-13 rating given to 1408 belies this film's truly terrifying effects on its audience.
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