Watch The Innkeepers

Directed by Ti West, The Innkeepers is a supernatural thriller starring Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, and Kelly McGillis. The film centers around the last days of a supposedly haunted hotel called The Yankee Pedlar Inn. Paxton and Healy play Claire and Luke, two employees working the final weekend before the hotel closes down for good. Throughout the movie, Claire and Luke are determined to uncover some of the hotel’s hidden secrets, particularly the legend of a ghostly bride who supposedly haunts one of its rooms. Along the way, they encounter various strange occurrences, including a mysterious woman staying at the hotel named Leanne (McGillis) who seems to know more about the inn’s past than she initially lets on.

Set over the course of three nights, The Innkeepers is a slow-burning horror film that relies more on atmosphere and tension than jump scares or gore. The film is deliberately paced, with many scenes drawn out to build suspense and unease. West also uses the empty hotel setting to great effect, creating a sense of isolation and dread that pervades the entire runtime.

While the movie is certainly a horror film, there is also a fair amount of humor and quirkiness to be found. Paxton and Healy make for an endearing duo, with both actors imbuing their characters with a relatable sense of humor and vulnerability. Their conversations and banter often help to lighten the mood and offer brief respite from the mounting tension.

The Innkeepers also benefits from some genuinely eerie moments, particularly in the film’s third act. As the hotel empties out and the duo’s investigations become more desperate, the sense of dread and terror amps up. The film’s climax is both satisfying and unexpected, leaving viewers with a final image that will likely stick with them long after the credits roll.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of the concept of belief. Claire and Luke are both true believers in the supernatural, with Claire being particularly obsessed with the idea of ghost hunting. Throughout the film, they encounter various skeptics who scoff at their interests and dismiss their experiences. The movie raises questions about the nature of belief and whether it’s possible to truly prove or disprove the existence of the supernatural.

Overall, The Innkeepers is an effective horror film that should appeal to fans of both slow-burning suspense and more traditional ghost stories. The combination of humor and spooks helps to make the movie feel fresh and unique, while the strong performances and eerie atmosphere keep the tension high. While it may not be the most action-packed or graphic horror film out there, it’s certainly one that will keep viewers on edge from start to finish.

The Innkeepers is a 2012 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 64.