The Innkeepers

Full of dread, tense and interesting to look at. The Innkeepers is a film that will annoy the impatient and reward true horror buffs. Patience is a virtue that is rewarded with a beautiful looking haunted house story that is simply effective. The old school poster portrays the vibe this film achieves. It is more Hitchcock and Shining than Saw and Boogeyman.

The director Ti West has been making a name for himself in the horror genre with House of the Devil and The Innkeepers. His slow burning and tense films have accumulated critical and horror aficionado praise. Roger Ebert is officially going the way of the West:

“He’s an admirer of classic horror films and understands that if there’s anything scarier than a haunted house, it’s a possibly haunted house. The film may provide an introduction for some audience members to the Hitchcockian definition of suspense: It’s the anticipation, not the happening, that’s the fun.”

After Shark Night I was amazed to see the acting capabilities of Sara Paxton. She does a fantastic job when she isn’t dealing with angry rednecks, tiny bikinis and hungry sharks. Much like Elizabeth Olsen she is interesting to look at and holds the screen while looking scared. She also doesn’t have to wear a tank top like Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Olsen and Jessica Chastain do in their recent and upcoming horror films (House at the end of the Street, Silent House, Mama). The Innkeepers is not a “Tank Top Horror” film.

The story centers around two employees who are working the final week of the famous Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Conn. The place is due to close in a week and they pass the time searching the Inn for ghosts.

The two act as part time ghost hunters out of boredom and would much prefer to hang out than actually look for ghosts. They have a friendly relationship due to their mutual complacency and lack of ambition. They don’t know if they believe in ghosts but  the Inn provides ample opportunities for the two to hear squeaks and moans while exploring the long corridors and dark corners.

If you are interested in the horror genre and it’s new creators you should check out The Innkeepers.  Ti West is a man you should watch. He genuinely appreciates the finer things in horror storytelling which is nice because not only do you have a good movie but you get legitimate scares. Do yourself a favor. Turn off the lights and immerse yourself in the story.