The Innkeepers

Magnet Releasing | Release Date: February 3, 2012

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 73 Ratings

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Xborn74May 12, 2012

"The Inkeepers" (2011) is a suspense-horror thriller, written and directed by Ti West, which takes place in the Yankee Pedlar Inn Hotel (which really exists, in Torrington, Connecticut, USA), and tells the story of the two last attendants in"The Inkeepers" (2011) is a suspense-horror thriller, written and directed by Ti West, which takes place in the Yankee Pedlar Inn Hotel (which really exists, in Torrington, Connecticut, USA), and tells the story of the two last attendants in this centennial Inn (Claire - Sara Paxton and Luke - Pat Healy), which is about to close and having his last weekend, along with the rare (and strange)final guests in the Hotel.

The hotel has a history of being haunted, due to a woman who committed suicide in the past there (Madeline O'Malley), after learn that her husband died, and two attendants try always when possible to investigate when the hotel in search of apparitions or signs supernatural, to prove it, with "professional" ghost hunters equipment(as seen in series).

Well done visually, the film has a classic filming approach, which emphasizes the place, almost always empty - it is very interesting the opening, with images of the site since its founding in 1891 until the present day, and 98% of the movie goes on inside it or around it. Also I liked the sub-division into three chapters of the film at key points, like a book, each chapter presenting a different climate.

The trail is suitable both musical and sound effects ones, and perfect for this film and its narrative, nothing worthy of an Oscar, but well produced and I do not offer any criticism of the acting of the characters (yes, they are well characterized), especially the two protagonists. Another detail: the cast is reduced, up to 15 people, but well selected.

Initially the film, which I consider more a Thriller, shows a trend towards comedy, and passes gradually to the suspense and finally to terror. Gory scenes are mostly absent until the end, where they are relevant, and the script emphasizes the psychological of the characters, especially the main character, the young and naive Claire.

The Innkeepers ends up being one more example that a movie with cast and limited production does not necessarily mean something bad, beating many current films with a greater budget - a well-written script is crucial.

For those who like stories of old-fashioned thrillers, this movie is a very pleasant experience, and not abuse of blood, and have a atmosphere of ghost story without being something heavy or appellative - contrary to what many fans expect a horror movie has a lot of blood and violence, full of special effects. A good movie to watch.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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MegWhiteleyMar 2, 2012

The Innkeepers is like an old horror film, but one of the best old horror films, the story is sorpresive, the cast, the situation, oh my god! a really scare film. The Innkeepers is a classic.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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SeanMcGunnigleMar 5, 2012

Good old hotel horror movie with a hot young actress in Sara Paxton, the only problem is it's not as scary as you keep hoping its going to be. The other main character who works as a team with Sara Paxton to understand the paranormal activityGood old hotel horror movie with a hot young actress in Sara Paxton, the only problem is it's not as scary as you keep hoping its going to be. The other main character who works as a team with Sara Paxton to understand the paranormal activity happening in the hotel does a good job as well. The camera work and scenery is great, its just not as scary as you keep expecting it to be. It doesnt try to explain or sum up the events either, which i dislike. Leaves it open to the audience to decide whats really going on. The supporting characters you could care less about as well. Decent horror flick in a hurting genre in need of good flicks.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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tamprJan 13, 2013

Great movie, reminds me of the 1970's horror movies. The slow pace and peculiar timing creates atmospheric tension. One of the best ghost stories since 'The Others'.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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AlthureApr 5, 2012

Awesome movie not only for it's creepy jump scares but also for lovable characters, great story, atmosphere, humor and mystery all done very well and preformed perfectly. 10/10.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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killingspreeMar 30, 2012

Great old style horror film. Cinematography is great the acting is too. Don't listen to the critics go see it for yourself!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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TheQuietGamerOct 22, 2017

Two hotel workers and friends are spending their last days of employment taking advantage of the fact that almost of the guests are gone by playing ghost hunters. Naturally, their investigation of the hotel's supposed haunting leads them toTwo hotel workers and friends are spending their last days of employment taking advantage of the fact that almost of the guests are gone by playing ghost hunters. Naturally, their investigation of the hotel's supposed haunting leads them to more than they bargained for. But until that happens writer, director, and producer Ti West lets us hang out with his characters as they goof off and struggle with the fact that their lives aren't going the way they want them to. It's a lot of fun to watch leads Paxton and Healy. Their playing some pretty cool people and there are quite a few laughs along the way. It's what ultimately saves the movie when the actual horror falls flat.

Despite a great atmosphere and some effective tension building, The Innkeepers just isn't scary. The ghost looks a touch overdone as it's evident that West was trying too hard with it's appearance. Mix that with the fact that Paxton's acting ability takes a hit when she's pretending to be scared and you have some very ineffective moments of terror. The movie has a way of letting you know what scary thing it's going to throw at you next by being incredibly obvious. It's a very well-made horror movie, but the masterfully helmed shots mean little when they aren't actually capturing anything scary.

When it comes to being a horror movie things fall flat. Yet, I am surprised to find just how willing I am to overlook that in favor of what the movie is good at being; and that's a light-hearted comedy with believable characters and a great story about not being where you want to be in life. Had Ti West have ditched the horror element all together and just focused on these two friends and coworkers exploring the hotel, their relationship, and having some laughs along the way, we might have ended up with something truly compelling. The Innkeepers kind of missed it's calling as a charming indie-comedy. It would have been cool to see it dive into subplots more and maybe even adapt a light drama element as the two employees get involved in the lives of their last few guests before the hotel shuts down for good. Oh well. As it stands, The Innkeepers is still good. It could have used a little more work in order to have been actually scary, but I appreciate how it took the time to come up with a believable setup and made us care about it's characters. That's more than I can say for the vast majority of horror movies I've watched. For that, I consider this movie a win. 7.5/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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mcmanusthebraveOct 11, 2012

the innkeepers is perfect in every way, perfect performances, perfect pacing, perfectly crafted scares, all with no gore whatsoever, ti west is a phenomenal director/writer.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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badbrushOct 6, 2013

The lack of CGI, slow pacing and good character development make this a refreshing film in a genre saturated with cliches and intolerable, badly written characters.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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