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Adapted from Stephen King's short story of the same name, 1408 is a psychological horror movie released in 2007. Under the direction of Mikael Håfström, the film highlights Mike Enslin, a skeptical writer who explores haunted locations for inspiration.
The movie revolves around his stay in room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel, where he encounters supernatural events. The film delves into Mike's trauma and loss, especially the grief over his daughter, Katie. It centers on suspense, psychological tension, and eerie imagery, blending personal horror with supernatural elements.
1408 features John Cusack as Mike Enslin, and Samuel L. Jackson as hotel manager Gerald Olin. Mary McCormack plays Lily, Mike's estranged wife, while Tony Shalhoub portrays Mike's publisher, Sam Farrell. Len Cariou appears as Mike's father, and Jasmine Jessica Anthony plays Mike's daughter, Katie.
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The movie 1408 has alternate endings, each presenting a different fate for Mike. In the theatrical release, he manages to escape, but other versions depict a darker outcome for the protagonist, adding a range of unsettling possibilities to his story.
The official synopsis of the movie reads:
"Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a successful author who enjoys worldwide acclaim debunking supernatural phenomena -- before he checks into the Dolphin Hotel, that is. Ignoring the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson), he learns the meaning of real terror when he spends the night in a reputedly haunted room."
Exploring the end of 1408
The beginning of Mike's tragedy
In the film's opening, Mike Enslin, a renowned author with expertise in haunted locations, arrives at the Dolphin Hotel. Despite receiving a cautionary postcard warning him not to enter room 1408, he remains there to conduct research for his next book. He firmly refuses to leave despite its historical record of 56 deaths.
The room initially seems normal, but soon strange events begin to unfold. Mike discovers disturbing images of his deceased daughter, Katie, and finds himself unable to leave. His attempts to escape are futile. As a countdown starts on the clock, he realizes he is trapped in a recurring nightmare.
The haunting nature of the room
The movie clarifies that the room is not a product of Enslin's imagination. The events he experiences are real within the film’s supernatural framework. Enslin initially attempts to disprove the hauntings, but the room soon manipulates his deepest fears and personal trauma. It uses his grief over Katie and his broken relationship with his wife to torment him further.
The room in the film is depicted as a malevolent force throughout. It denies every escape attempt, whether through the window or by calling for help. The room deceives him; at one point, he thinks he has escaped. Yet, he still finds himself trapped.
Another prominent motif explored in 1408 is the notion of free will. Using a noose, the room provides Mike with the option of "express checkout," allowing him to terminate his distress.
The different endings of the film
The film 1408 features four different endings, adding complexity to its conclusion. The two main endings of the film present vastly different outcomes for Mike. In the theatrical cut, Mike escapes alive after setting the room on fire. Upon reuniting, he and his wife listen to a cassette recording made in the room. The recording documents the oral testimony of their departed daughter, Katie. It substantiates the authenticity of the atrocities experienced in the room.
In contrast, the director’s cut ending leaves Mike in a state of eternal torment. His death in the fire traps his soul in 1408, hinting that the room has claimed yet another victim. At his funeral, Olin gives Mike’s wife his belongings, including the cassette. In the final scene, Mike’s ghost is seen in the remains of the room, smoking a cigarette and walking away, implying he’s trapped forever. This ending is more in line with the darker themes of King’s original story.
The film's climax leaves many viewers puzzled but emphasizes the room’s torment, blending reality and nightmare. The alternative endings depict different outcomes. In one version, Mike listens to Katie on the tape, but his wife refuses to acknowledge it. This suggests that either his wife couldn't hear the voice or had doubts about the tape's authenticity. In another version, Mike's manuscript haunts Sam Ferrell. Each ending contributes a distinct tone, ranging from hopeful to eerie.
The loop of horror that continues
Each time Mike meets the end of the 60-minute countdown, the room resets the clock, implying a perpetual cycle of terror. The efforts made by Mike to liberate himself, whether through fleeing or setting the room on fire, appear to be in vain. That instills a feeling of despair, leaving spectators pondering the feasibility of escaping.
Although the theatrical version provides an air of optimism through Mike's survival, the director's decision to cut the scene leaves a more disconcerting impact. In both iterations, the enduring influence of the room demonstrates that room 1408 is not only a haunted space but a tangible expression of sorrow and dread.
The movie is available to stream on Apple TV+.
