Vacancy

(2007) ***

David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox's (Kate Beckinsale) are lost after David decides to take a shortcut off the highway. The couple recently separated and are only together because they had to attend a family function and did not want family members to know that they had made the decision to divorce. Getting lost doesn’t improve the ex-couple’s mood and there is a sharp increase in the bickering. When their car breaks down (of course) they are forced to stay at a horrible little hotel run by this creepy manager.

Popping in a VHS tape he finds on top of he television console, David begins watching what he believes to be a low-budget horor movie. Fairly quickly he realizes that the ‘movie’ was filmed in the very hotel room they are staying in and the people being tortured onscreen aren’t actors. Attempting to get the hell out of there the bickering ex-couple run into the same shady characters involved in the snuff film. David and Amy fight for their lives as every move they make is quietly filmed by dozens of cameras. Wondering how the creepy killers keep getting into their room, David discovers a secret passage under the bathroom floormat that leads to a large underground tunnel system connecting all the rooms together. Even if they do get out of there, where will they go? Remember, they’re in the middle of nowehere and this snuff film operation has been going on for a long time given all the VHS tapes the hotel manager has for sale in his office.

This was one of those nifty little films that presents an intriguing, albiet ridiculous premise (see Prey), which will keep you glued to your seat to the very end. Along the way there are a few twists and some satisfying revenge. I would rate this a bit higher but it has no repeat value whatsoever. You watch this once you will never need to see it again. Still this was a fun one.