There have been numerous Stephen King adaptations so far this century, but none are better than a psychological horror movie that explores grief, trauma, and skepticism like no other. Released in 2007, the film was a massive hit at the box office, and now, nearly 20 years later (has it really been that long?), it’s back to haunt viewers on free streaming just in time for spooky season.
Who Knew a Hotel Room Could Be That Bad?
Directed by Mikael Håfström, 1408 stars John Cusack as Mike Enslin, a skeptical author who makes a living debunking haunted locations. Still grieving the loss of his daughter and the disintegration of his marriage, he’s delivered a mysterious postcard from the Dolphin Hotel in New York that warns him not to enter room 1408.
Following a superb cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as the hotel’s manager, Gerald Olin, Mike settles into the room with the dark past, and while he finds nothing unusual at first, it isn’t long before the haunted locale begins to manipulate his perception of reality, preying on his deepest, darkest trauma. As it repeatedly resets and changes around him, Mike realizes he isn’t simply dealing with an ordinary haunting, but rather a force that’s hell-bent on psychologically destroying him.
Also starring Mary McCormack and Tony Shalhoub, 1408 hit theaters on June 22, 2007, and was an immediate hit at the box office. Produced for just $25 million, the film ultimately went on to earn more than 5x its budget, raking in $133 million worldwide. Called everything from “one of the best Stephen King adaptations in years” to “a good, old-fashioned horror flick,” Håfström’s take on King’s short story also scored big with critics, earning a Certified Fresh rating of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Perhaps the best thing of all about 1408, other than Cusack’s performance, is that it’s a movie that doesn’t rely on gore to freak you out. Like most of King’s stories, it relies on something completely mundane (a hotel room) to capture the imagination, turning it into a weapon of warfare that assaults the senses. While Andy Muschietti’s IT may be King’s highest grossing movie to date, there’s no denying that when it comes to sheer terror and unpredictability, 1408 has it beat by a country mile. Sorry, Pennywise.
‘1408’ Returns to Free Streaming This Month
Currently, 1408 is available to stream in the United States with a subscription to AMC+, but all that will change later this month when the movie makes its return to free streaming. The King adaptation will be added to Tubi’s streaming library on Sept. 24, just in time to give you a good scare this Halloween.
Next in the long line of King movies and TV shows that are in development is Mike Flanagan’s fresh take on the author’s first novel, Carrie. The six-episode series starring Summer H. Howell as the titular Carrie White is expected to hit Prime Video on Oct. 7. In addition to Howell, the show also stars Matthew Lillard, Amber Midthunder, Heather Graham, Siena Agudong, and Samantha Sloyan as Carrie’s mother, Margaret White.
