The last weekend before the Yankee Pedlar Inn closes forever, two young employees stay in the hotel with the last remaining guests. The pair takes turns with front desk responsibilities while attempting to finally record proof of the ghosts rumored to be haunting the hotel. As strange guests check in for the last couple of nights, the friends find themselves in over their heads.
I applaud Ti West as it is no easy feat to produce a gripping thriller with new actors and, what I assume was, a limited budget. I enjoyed the storyline; while not completely unlike others I've seen, it was well done. I felt like I knew what was coming as I followed clues, but I certainly screamed out loud a couple of times, genuinely taken by surprise.
The Innkeepers is superior to typical horror flicks because there was an actual plot with believable characters (not Megan Fox-looking 16-year-olds running upstairs instead of out the front door, followed by some cheaply masked villain). The story was unique and psychological enough that I didn't feel guilty for buying in and being scared. With no huge talent, I found this film overall entertaining, and I think any suspense/thriller/horror fan would agree.
