Based on a Stephen King short story, this tells the story of horror author Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a man obsessed with the paranormal and finding proof of it ever since the death of his daughter. After travelling to many faux motels he receives an offer to visit a hotel in New York and is warned not to enter room 1408. Upon arriving at the hotel the manager (Samuel Jackson) pleads with him not to stay there, simply stating that the room is evil.
What follows is a genuinely creepy and atmospheric film with some really good shock moments, for the first hour or so. Unfortunately the last act loses the plot and the CGI takes over.

John Cusack is, as always, excellent as the lead character, delivers the wit and humour perfectly and holds the film together the best he can, Samuel Jackson has a good couple of cameos but for the most part it is a one man show from Cusack.
The room is very well portrayed and the camera work and angles are expertly shot as there is a genuine sense of uneasiness and menace.
However the film falls apart in the last act due mainly to the overuse of CGI, the room loses all sense of threat and danger as it begins to self destruct and it starts to feel more like an amusement park ride.

Despite plot holes and the failing last 30 minutes, 1408 is an enjoyable suspense thriller and such a pleasant change from the usual gutter trash torture porn/slash fests that fester in our multiplexes.