Film Muser Rating : 2.5 / 5
Release Date : April 20, 2007
Running Time : 80 minutes
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David and Amy Fox (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) are a couple on the verge of finalizing their divorce, traveling from their last family get-together. The couple find themselves in somewhat of a pickle when their car breaks down on an out of the way rural highway late in the night. Luckily they are close to a roadside motel and check in for the evening, despite the sketchy night manager (Frank Whaley) and the grungy accommodations. After settling in their room David plays some video tapes sitting on top of the TV. What first seems to be cheap horror movies depicting brutal murders, it is soon realized that the scenes on the tapes were filmed in their room. After looking around, David finds a number of hidden video cameras all over their suite. The couple takes this as a clue to get out of their, but find themselves trapped by a group of masked men intent on making their next film.

Vacancy starring Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale

Vacancy is promising off of the start. The film moves along at a steady pace and does a good job of creating a genuinely creepy and unsettling atmosphere. After checking into their motel room, the creepiness factor becomes really interesting as David and Amy find the snuff movies that were filmed in their room. There is further moments of intensity when there is mysterious banging on their doors, and when the power flashes on and off.

But once the villains are introduced the movie takes somewhat of a nosedive. All of the intriguing elements that led up to this moment are forgotten as Vacancy turns into your typical run and hide horror flick. Even though we don’t see anything groundbreaking here, I was entertained and didn’t find myself noticing any real ridiculous moments. I was also pleased that the masked murderers are left more-or-less mysterious, letting the viewers’ focus remain on David and Amy.

All of the performances are average, with no one really standing out. It was interesting to see Luke Wilson in a serious role and he does a decent job of showing some legitimate angst. Kate Beckinsale is kind of just, “there”. Her character’s arguing with David gets a little old, and she doesn’t really do much in terms of helping their situation - until pretty much the end of the movie, anyway. Frank Whaley as Mason the motel manager is slightly creepy, but some of his antics I felt were a little over the top.

I can’t really recommend Vacancy because it really wasn’t that good, but it wasn’t terrible either. It’s one of those movies that may provide some mindless entertainment, but will likely be forgotten very quickly. The premise of the film is compelling, and showed some real potential for the first half, but you may find yourself disappointed with how it ultimately plays out. If you do decide to see it, it moves at a great pace and clocks in at only eighty minutes, so it’s not a huge commitment.

Memorable Scene
Shortly after David and Amy get settled into their room, violent banging starts to emanate from the room’s main door and an adjoining room door. This scene does a solid job of creating a tense moment as the couple are not sure how to deal with what is going on. It’s tough not to put yourself in a similar situation and imagine how you would react. Just think that you’re in a creepy motel in the middle of nowhere, and someone is banging on your doors at three in the morning.