Watch 1408

1408 is a 2007 horror movie directed by Mikael Hafstrom and based on a Stephen King novella. The story is centered around Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a cynical and skeptical author who writes books about haunted places. He receives a postcard with a cryptic message about room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, claiming that nobody has ever survived an hour inside it. Intrigued and feeling in need of a new subject for his next book, Mike sets out to investigate the room on his own.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Mike has a contentious exchange with the hotel manager, Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), who warns him not to stay in room 1408. Nevertheless, Mike insists on going ahead with his plan and checks in. He soon discovers that the room is just as strange and eerie as the rumors have suggested; it has a mind of its own and seems able to manipulate reality in bizarre and terrifying ways. As Mike's stay in the room drags on, he experiences a series of increasingly disturbing visions and becomes increasingly desperate to escape.

One of the things that makes 1408 so effective is the way it builds tension and suspense gradually. The setup is relatively straightforward, with Mike arriving at the hotel and checking into the room. However, as soon as he crosses the threshold of room 1408, things start to go awry. The filmmakers do a great job of using behavior and atmosphere to set the mood and hint at what's to come. For example, the hotel room eerily switches back and forth between different appearances, becoming a cozy Victorian parlor or a bleak, subterranean cell.

John Cusack delivers a strong performance as Mike Enslin, who is initially portrayed as a jaded and cynical writer who doesn't really believe in ghosts or haunted places. However, as the movie progresses, Mike is forced to confront his skepticism and come to terms with the horrors he's experiencing. Cusack does a great job of presenting both sides of Mike's character arc, hinting at his vulnerability and fear while still keeping him grounded.

Samuel L. Jackson is also excellent as the hotel manager, Gerald Olin. He's a more straightforward character, and he brings a strong sense of gravitas and authority to the role. The character of Olin acts as a kind of Greek chorus throughout the movie, giving the audience hints about what's really going on in room 1408 and warning Mike not to stay there. However, Jackson is able to bring a sense of ambiguity to the character as well, suggesting that maybe Olin isn't entirely trustworthy.

Mary McCormack plays Mike's estranged wife, Lily, who appears in flashbacks and hallucinations throughout the movie. McCormack isn't given as much screen time as Cusack and Jackson, but she does an admirable job of conveying a sense of emotional depth to her character, particularly as we learn more about her troubled relationship with Mike.

Overall, 1408 is a solid horror movie that manages to balance suspense, scares, and psychological drama. The filmmakers do a great job of creating a sense of claustrophobia and isolation, and the performances from the three main actors are all excellent. The movie is also impressive in the way that it avoids cheap jump scares or gratuitous gore, instead opting for a more subtle and atmospheric approach to horror. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers or Stephen King adaptations, 1408 is definitely worth checking out.

1408 is a 2007 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.