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1408 (2007)

Director: Mikael Håfström

Time Out rating

Average user rating

36 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

A polished Stephen King adaptation from Swedish director Mikael Håfström (‘Derailed’), whose taut psychological chiller is tarnished only by outstaying its welcome towards the end. It’s virtually a one-man show for John Cusack, as a jaded debunker of paranormal phenomena whose curiosity is piqued by an anonymous postcard about Room 1408 at New York’s Dolphin Hotel. So he checks in, dismissing as sales patter hotel manager Samuel L Jackson’s forceful warning that, ‘it’s a an evil fucking room’.

Once inside, however, the cynical Cusack is assailed not only by malevolent supernatural forces, but also his own inner demons – painful memories of the death of his daughter and the subsequent collapse of his marriage. His increasing paranoia and psychological unravelling therefore have an affecting emotional dimension, although the flashbacks and a badly misjudged false ending take us out of the room and undercut the sense of claustrophobia. Håfström stages the set-piece scares with skill, helped by Benoît Delhomme’s imaginative cinematography and some nice creepy touches: notably, a clock radio that only plays The Carpenters’ ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’.

Author: Nigel Floyd 2007-08-24 18:04:23

Time Out London Issue 1932: August 29-September 4 2007

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User reviews of this film

test said...

Posted on Sep 12 2007 12:25 test

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jc said...

Posted on Sep 12 2007 11:50 awsome film, really a 1 2 watch!

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sally said...

Posted on Sep 12 2007 07:58 Starts very well. Looses credibility half way through when the blood starts running from the walls and the room looks like its been through a 9 on the Richter scale.

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akasha said...

Posted on Sep 10 2007 22:01 Excellent film well worth seeing

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Adam said...

Posted on Sep 10 2007 13:54 quite a scary film, however gets a little confusing towards the end! worth watching!!

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Charlieb said...

Posted on Sep 08 2007 23:53 Just got in from seeing this film, What a complete waste of money, i cannot believe Samuel L actually put his name to this lame boring pathetic attempt of a scare flik, The whole picture house was laughing at one point when in hignsight every one should have been screaming, what a lame lamo of a film, give it a wide berth, one not to buy on DVD when it is releast, probably next week cause i cant see it will take money at the cinema, Zero Skulls my friends.

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Daniel Snape said...

Posted on Sep 08 2007 08:50 great film one of John Cusacks best i rate this film 10 skulls A MUST SEE FILM

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madiyar lol said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 22:51 i am still shaking! best movie ever. Stefan sucks.

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punjabi kurri said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 16:02 I thought this film was quite gd tho it was abit confusing at the beginning. I must admit I did jump at times, it was scary creepy etc but not much blood or gore which was gd. Overall i think its a must see film so go watch and enjoy :P

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kurri punjaban said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 15:57 I thoutght this was film quite gd., abit confusing at the start tho. It was scary creepy etc but no gore blood or guts which was gd. I mst admit it did make me jump at tyms. Its definately a must se film so go and watch it and enjoy.

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meerkatz said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 11:52 As a gay man may i thank you for this film.
Went to see it last night with a daishy st8 mate . on Two occasions he felt the need to grab my hand. But since then no letter, no flowers not even a phone call but well worth £5.50 to experience lol lol lol lol

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scott said...

Posted on Sep 06 2007 20:14 could possibly be the worst film i have ever seen! just happy i went to see it on a cheap tuesday lol still wasnt worth it tho

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Henna B said...

Posted on Sep 06 2007 19:10 The movie was quite confusing at first, but it was quite a good film... my god did it make me jump up at times though... i was scared at one point to get up to get some popcorn.... hehehehe, but go watch it you all....

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Georgia and Jp said...

Posted on Sep 04 2007 21:53 poopoo platta and tuppyrolls

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James MC said...

Posted on Sep 03 2007 19:24 Tasteful with acting at its greatest. Cusack and Samuel L Jackson are the best suited duo to make this a horrifylingly skin crawler - dont buy on DVD - go to the cinema now!

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