The Innkeepers (2011)
August 24, 2022 1:16 PM - Subscribe
During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees (Sara Paxton, Pat Healy) determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.
Also starring Kelly McGillis.
Written and directed by Ti West.
79% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US free on Hoopla and Kanopy, and dree with ads on Tubi, Freevee, Peacock, Pluto TV, Plex, Vudu, and The Roku Channel. Also available for digital rental in most of the usual places. JustWatch listing.
Also starring Kelly McGillis.
Written and directed by Ti West.
79% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US free on Hoopla and Kanopy, and dree with ads on Tubi, Freevee, Peacock, Pluto TV, Plex, Vudu, and The Roku Channel. Also available for digital rental in most of the usual places. JustWatch listing.
I saw this one at a festival years ago! I think the ending mars all the good work done to lead up to it.
I know ghost stories often have tragic ends, and maybe it's the 80s kid in me, but I can't quite align myself with an downer ending that's like "And they all ran away and/or died, because they messed with something they shouldn't."
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 4:24 PM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I know ghost stories often have tragic ends, and maybe it's the 80s kid in me, but I can't quite align myself with an downer ending that's like "And they all ran away and/or died, because they messed with something they shouldn't."
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 4:24 PM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
This movie was a happy find for me when I first watched it a couple years ago. Haunted house movies are always my favorite, and I think this does a great job of establishing the hotel as a living place with history.
A slow burn for sure and I understand why the ending isn't loved, but I still put this on when October rolls around.
posted by Eddie Mars at 9:16 AM on August 25, 2022
A slow burn for sure and I understand why the ending isn't loved, but I still put this on when October rolls around.
posted by Eddie Mars at 9:16 AM on August 25, 2022
I hated the ending ibecause I like Claire, but I think that it's necessary and inevitable. While Luke eggs her on, Claire is the one who goes and does the ghost hunting stuff, drawing the attention of the ghosts. Then, when she fails to follow Leanne's advice and leave immediately, she dooms herself (by trying to be a good and reliable person, but, still...).
I was listening to a podcast about the film (might have been The Evolution of Horror), and one of the men on the episode talked about Luke and Claire's "will they/won't they energy," and it annoyed me, because, however much Luke might wish it, there is no "energy" there. Claire likes Luke OK, but there is no romantic relationship there. And I like that Luke knows that and doesn't do anything line-crossing (there is the "coming to the door in his underwear" scene, but that's pretty understandable in context, and it embarrasses both of them.
Anyway, I think that, if Luke were the victim Claire would have gotten over it and gone on to live her life. With Claire gone, Luke is also destroyed, although alive. Everyone loses, except Leanne.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:14 AM on August 25, 2022
I was listening to a podcast about the film (might have been The Evolution of Horror), and one of the men on the episode talked about Luke and Claire's "will they/won't they energy," and it annoyed me, because, however much Luke might wish it, there is no "energy" there. Claire likes Luke OK, but there is no romantic relationship there. And I like that Luke knows that and doesn't do anything line-crossing (there is the "coming to the door in his underwear" scene, but that's pretty understandable in context, and it embarrasses both of them.
Anyway, I think that, if Luke were the victim Claire would have gotten over it and gone on to live her life. With Claire gone, Luke is also destroyed, although alive. Everyone loses, except Leanne.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:14 AM on August 25, 2022
I really liked this one. West's best film.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:58 AM on August 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 5:58 AM on August 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:17 PM on August 24, 2022