1408 (2007)

1408 (Dimension Films, 2007)
John Cusack, Samuel Jackson
Mikael Hafstrom

"Jheck, watch mo 1408, horror," as Egg's text invitation says. Sure, I'd see it, I thought. There was pretty much buzz around the film before it has been actually shown, much because it was a Stephen King original (short) story and because it stars the insanely good John Cusack. Reading some reviews now impresses me, about 90% liked and (almost) loved it. There has never been a horror film that has gotten these much praises since The Ring (Japanese).

1408 is about Mike Enslin (Cusack) who makes a living by writing books on some paranormal phenomenon that he is skeptical about. Yet, he convincingly make his readers believe on the existence of such phenomenon. One day, he receives a postcard saying that he shouldn't stay in Room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel. Intrigued by such note and the number that 1408 represents once added, he makes an accomodation in the room despite the numerous warnings of the hotel's manager, Mr. Olin (Samuel Jackson). "No one lasts more than one hour," Olin says. "It's an evil fucking room," he adds. Somewhat feeling creeped-out, Mike remains unconvinced and determined to investigate the horror that is 1408.

Nothing happens in the first few minutes making Mike believe that ghost stories in the room are hoaxes. However, when strange occurences happen, he feels that they are tricks, that is until the "evil" in the room convinces him that they are real. As the "evil" favorite's song goes, "We've only just begun." He will go in a loop till he decides to "check himself out" of the room.

"Nakakatakot siya," Imee said. Indeed, 1408 manages to freak the audience out by creating mental pictures that are otherwise not present in most horror films. Think of the horror stories shared by our lolas and yayas when we were young to stop us from doing what we like. Think of The Blair Witch Project. 1408 plays more with your mind rather than your senses. You know that the "evil" exists but it doesn't show itself to you physically.

One good thing that 1408 does is that makes you feel trap in the room the way Mike is because in the beginning, it has already established the claustrophobic feeling of it all. "Hotels are naturally creepy places," he says in his recorder. "Just think, how many people have slept in that bed before you? How many of them were sick? How many... died?" Mike's moves have been limited to the four corners of the room that you, as a viewer, also couldn't think outside the box especially when he goes to the ceiling.

"Nakakapagod siyang panoorin," Imee added. True. During the second half of the film, the horror turns absurb, partly due to editing (some scenes can clearly be cut off like the mail room turning into Room 1408) and partly due to to some ridiculous scenes (I find the phone calls and "freezing moments" not so scary at all). Because Mike is in circles, mahihilo ka rin sa nagiging takbo ng kwento. Masyado siyang humaba that it makes you want the film to end to uncover the secrets of the room. However, when the film comes to its conclusion, you'd be left wanting for more. It is not because of how great the turnout is but because there is feeling that you have been cheated in a way. Out of the roller coaster ride it made you go through, pinasuka ka lang niya for nothing at all.

The evil in 1408 is tricky, so does the film. It's up to you to buy the tricks or not that are partly good and partly bad. There is a reason why this was written as a short story.

Stephen King may be known for writing horror stories but I'd rather go with his dramatic ones, Misery, The Shawnshank Redemption, and Dolores Clairborne.