1408

1408 (2007)

Summary

1408 is a psychological horror film based on the short story by Stephen King. The film follows Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a cynical and skeptical author who specializes in debunking supernatural phenomena at allegedly haunted locations. To research his next book, he insists on spending a night in the notorious Room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel in New York City. Despite the earnest and repeated warnings from the hotel manager, Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), about the room's morbid history of 56 deaths, Mike enters the room. Once inside, the skeptical writer becomes trapped and is relentlessly subjected to a series of terrifying, reality-bending, and highly personal supernatural events that force him to confront his deepest grief over the death of his daughter.

Plot

The film opens with the introduction of Mike Enslin, a moderately successful author who has become a jaded skeptic of the paranormal following the death of his young daughter, Katie (Jasmine Jessica Anthony). He writes books debunking "haunted" sites, which he sees as a meaningless exercise.

Mike receives an anonymous postcard advising him not to enter Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Intrigued, he books the room. Upon arrival, the hotel manager, Gerald Olin, attempts to dissuade him with a chilling account of the room's history—at least 56 people have died in it, many by suicide or violent means, over 95 years. Olin, who is not a believer in ghosts but insists the room is "fucking evil," pleads with Mike to choose any other suite and even offers to bribe him. Mike, however, dismisses the warnings as psychological priming for a new form of book research.

Mike forces his way into the room, which is seemingly ordinary at first, and begins dictating his impressions into a tape recorder. Suddenly, a clock radio begins a countdown from 60:00, and the room's horrors begin. These include:

• The room's temperature fluctuating wildly from freezing to scorching hot.

• Seeing and interacting with the ghosts of past victims.

• Experiencing a flashback to his daughter's death and his estranged relationship with his wife, Lily (Mary McCormack), which the room exploits for psychological torment.

• A surreal moment where he seemingly escapes the room, reconciles with Lily on the outside, and writes a book about his "dream," only to realize he is still trapped inside 1408.

As the hour winds down and the room tries to break his sanity, a voice calls him on the phone, offering him an "express checkout system"—a noose—as the only way out. Mike refuses. In a final act of defiance and a desperate attempt to destroy the evil presence, Mike creates a Molotov cocktail and sets the room on fire.

The film has multiple official endings, but in the widely released theatrical version, Mike is rescued after the fire. He survives and reconciles with Lily, having become a true believer in the supernatural. The ending strongly implies that Mike carries a piece of the room with him, proving the experience was real.

Cast

• John Cusack as Mike Enslin

• Samuel L. Jackson as Gerald Olin

• Mary McCormack as Lily Enslin

• Jasmine Jessica Anthony as Katie Enslin

• Tony Shalhoub as Sam Farrell

Crew

• Director: Mikael Håfström

• Screenplay by: Matt Greenberg, Scott Alexander, and Larry Karaszewski

• Based on the Short Story by: Stephen King

• Producers: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura

• Music by: Gabriel Yared

Release Date

June 22, 2007 (United States - Wide Release)