Movie Review: 1408 - John Cusack / Samuel L. Jackson

1408 was a really creepy paranormal thriller. The movie is based on a story by Stephen King. I found this streaming on Plex the other night. This wasn't really the type of movie I was looking for. However, I'm a huge fan of Samuel L. Jackson and also John Cusak. When I discovered a title I hadn't seen starring these two actors, I decided to give it a watch.

The basic plot goes like this. John Cusack plays a paranormal investigator/writer Mike Enslin. He's researched and written about the paranormal for several years and made a lucrative career out of it. However, he has yet to discover any real evidence of the paranormal. Every haunted hotel, restaurant, and place he's investigated seems to be profiting from the mystique of the paranormal rumors. He's pretty much given up on ever finding real proof when he suddenly receives an anonymous tip about room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel in New York City.

Mike Enslin does a little research and discovers a long list of deaths and suicides associated with room 1408 throughout the hotel's history. He decides to research it further. He has his publisher book a room at the hotel so he can research the events for himself. He's convinced that once again he'll find nothing. After much reluctance from the hotel, eventually, Mike Enslin is granted a stay in room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel.

Enter Samuel L Jackson as Gerald Olin the hotel manager. Upon Mike Enslin's arrival, Gerald practically begs him not to spend the night in the infamous room. Mike Enslin is convinced it's all part of the ruse to maintain the mystique of the hotel. Eventually, Gerald Olin succumbs to Mike Enslin's requests and allows him to spend the night in the requested room. Mike Enslin's first clue should have been when none of the staff would enter the room! From there, it doesn't take long for paranormal shenanigans to ensue.

IDK what it was about this movie but man was it ever creepy. It was one of those films that kept you at the edge of your seat. I constantly found myself yelling at the TV shouting "GET OUT" at the start of the paranormal activity.I often gauge a horror movie by how often it made me actually jump in my seat. This happened more than a few times. This was usually followed by, "OH HELL NO!" Seriously, this movie was creepy as hell.

This is one of those movies that uses your own mind against you. It wasn't gory or bloody. It was just plain creepy and scary. To paraphrase Gerald Olin the hotel manager, "1408 is an evil fucking room" said with that Samuel L. Jackson swagger!

As the movie progresses it goes from spooky to creepy, to downright horrifying. I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre. IMHO, this was a really good horror film. If you like horror films that continue to build and build as the plot thickens, this is a really good film to watch. I'll definitely add this to my Halloween horror collection for some spooky holiday fun! I enjoyed this one a lot!