1408 (2007)

Based on Stephen King’s short story, 1408 is a psychological horror that follows author Mike Enslin, a skeptic of the supernatural. Deciding to debunk the myths associated with haunted hotel rooms, he checks into the Dolphin Hotel’s infamous room 1408. Ignoring the hotel manager’s warnings, Enslin soon finds himself trapped in a terrifying reality where he confronts his personal demons and the room’s malevolent forces.

Length: 1 Hr and 44 Min
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama

Trailer

Cast

• John Cusack as Mike Enslin
• Samuel L. Jackson as Gerald Olin, the hotel manager
• Mary McCormack as Lily Enslin

Parental Guidance

Maturity Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)

Contains intense sequences of horror and disturbing thematic material.

Trivia

• The room’s temperature dropping to chilly levels is not in King’s original story but was added for the movie adaptation.
• John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson later reunited for another Stephen King adaptation, “Cell”.
• There are multiple endings to this film, depending on the version/region of release.

Our Review

1408 is a chilling exploration of psychological terror. It successfully distances itself from the jump-scare-heavy horror films, focusing instead on a slow-building tension that effectively unsettles its viewers. John Cusack’s compelling performance, coupled with the atmospheric tension, makes for an engaging watch. It’s a testament to how unsettling a story can become when it blends the boundaries between the real and the unreal.