1408 is a mind f**k. A glorious, cerebral, creepy as hell mind f**k, and it gets extra props for delivering spine tingling chills with very little blood. 1408 is in fact PG-13, but it isn't one of those stupid, generic, disposable fright pictures out to make a quick buck. On the contrary, this film is much more, but I suspect it will frustrate some viewers because of it's psychological complexity. Having said that, this atmospheric tale of evil works like a charm. It perfectly meshes old school scares with a contemporary, digital-age twist.

Based on one of Stephen King's lesser known short-stories, 1408 features John Cusack as Mike Enslin, a writer who stays in various hotels around the globe, debunking claims of paranormal activity. As Mike explains in the film, most of these hotels start in house haunting rumors as a gimmick to boost business.

Mr. Enslin gets more than he bargained for, however, when he decides to check into room 1408 at the posh Dolphin Hotel in New York City. Upon arrival, he is immediately introduced to hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), an articulate (and convincing) man who does everything in his power to talk Mike out of staying in the infamous room. He even shares a documented history of the ghoulish happenings that surround room 1408, but Mike remains unswayed. Enslin takes his job seriously and remains duty bound to seek out the truth for his readers. Perhaps more importantly, he simply does not believe in "ghosts and long legged beasties." Of course if there weren't any horrific things going on in 1408, then we wouldn't have much of a movie would we?

1408 is a smart, multilayered fright flick, and where some tales of this nature are unable to walk that line between drama and the supernatural (you can run but you can't hide Dark Water), this one gets it right.

I will say the set up leaves a bit to be desired. The opening conversation between Enslin and Olin is extremely mechanical, and ultimately, the early goings on in the film feel far too scripted. However, the moment Mike enters the room, which is about twenty minutes into the picture, 1408 really delivers.

Director Mikael Hafstrom (who made the less than stellar Derailed) proves to be quite the visual stylist, and he sort of puts the audience in a dreamlike state for much of the film. Sure, 1408 has a fair share of typical supernatural thriller cliches, and yes, fans of King will notice elements of other King stories (i.e. The Shining, The Ledge, etc.), but it doesn't matter, because ultimately, this movie is creepy and has a keen visual sense. Some of the imagery here even has a Stanley Kubrick ring about it. Interestingly enough, Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining is considered by many to be one of the great fright pictures of all time, even though those who praise it often point to the fact that it has more of Stanley Kubrick's Shine to it than it's famous author's.

Through a dark and nightmarish tone, King and Hafstrom appear to be paying homage to a film maker they clearly admired. Much of 1408 plays like a supernatural version of 2001.
Screenwriters Matt Greenberg (Reign of Fire) and dynamic duo Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood, The People Vs. Larry Flynt) have done a great job taking what many believed to be a difficult story to adapt, by coming up with clever ways to narrate the things going on inside Enslin's head. They've also fashioned a completely evil character in the form of room 1408 itself. Furthermore, there's a lot more going on in this film than meets the eye. This isn't simply the tale of a non believer who becomes a believer. That would be far too easy. Enslin's journey isn't only emotionally painful and horrific, but it's also cathartic. Throughout the movie, we question whether or not these events are actually taking place, or if Enslin's mind has stripped its gears. In a nice touch, we are given an answer in the final moment of the movie.

While we're on the topic of Mike Enslin, I'd be an absolute idiot if I didn't talk about the brilliant performance by the dependable and criminally underrated John Cusack. He is spot on as the rather recalcitrant and skeptical writer. Cusack is amazing in the way that he constantly tries to rationalize what he's seeing throughout this film, and we're right there with him. I was amazed by Cusack's ability to convey fear, confidence, and vulnerability without the luxury of bouncing off other actors (a similar feat pulled off by Tom Hanks in Cast Away). There are other performances in 1408 (including an effective but all too small turn by Mary McCormack as Enslin's estranged wife) but for most of it's running time, 1408 is virtually a one man show. Kudos to John Cusack for his stellar work.

1408 is a scary movie but I wouldn't necessarily call it a straight up ghost story. Calling the room haunted isn't really a fair assessment. What dwells in room 1408 is the personification of pure evil. It will do anything to destroy a life. In fact, the evil in 1408 is not unlike the dark force that populates many of King's works (the town of Derry being the best example). But what sets this effective movie apart from other genre films is its emotional heft. It's one thing to watch a character get the crap scared out of him, but something else entirely to actually care about that character. This is one of the best movies of the summer.

Grade: B+