As a scary movie—a ghost story, “The Innkeepers” has only one major flaw…it isn’t scary, dude.
The film takes place inside the “Yankee Pedlar Inn” during its final weekend before going out of business. Only a couple of rooms are occupied, leaving the two employees, played by Pat Healy (nerd glasses and a disturbing, tiny faux-hawk) and Sarah Paxton to while away the hours. These two are interesting characters, in a low-key, amusing way. We learn that they are amateur ghost-hunting enthusiasts, and they learn that there may be the ghost of a woman who committed suicide on her honeymoon, stalking the premises.
The opening title sequence shows the hotel in a series of old time photos that dissolve into newer photos, creating not so much suspense as anticipation that there must be a good story within the old building’s walls. Alas, very little happens for the longest time, and when things do happen, they elicit chuckles, not screams. Which is fine, I suppose, unless, the director was going for suspense and thrills.
“The Innkeepers” is earning some praise for its lack of gore, but it’s the lack of content that left me struggling to stay awake. Even the music sounds like it’s been pulled from an after school TV movie soundtrack. A movie that might’ve been about best friends planning a party, not about haunted hotels.
Kelly McGillis appears in a fun cameo as a former actress with a psychic gift, and the director, Ti West, does a good job guiding us through his location, making us feel as if we are there. It’s a good natured film, with good natured people populating it. Even one of the “scary” characters is rather kindly.
But, mercy, what a bore.
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