Review of Vacancy (2007) by Timothy S — 06 Jul 2014

With most modern horror movies stressing stomach-churning gore over story and suspense, most moviegoers would rightfully assume that a film about killers who make snuff movies would only be more of the same. However, you can tell right from the opening credits that "Vacancy" is going to be something special, and you would be correct.

The creative credits and unique score mimic the Hitchcock classic "Psycho", and while the two films are worlds apart, this is one of the most intense and skillfully directed thrillers of the year. There's nothing all that special about the story, but Hungarian born filmmaker Nimrod Antal, making his American debut, adds a lot of flair to the story while keeping it grounded and real.

There's nothing arty or pretentious about this; it's very gritty and believable. At only eighty-five minutes, the time flies by as this is very brisk and well-paced. And yet with the short run time, it does a nice job of establishing its two main characters, and Kate Beckinsale and especially Luke Wilson, playing against type, are very sympathetic leads. You really like them, and I don't remember the last horror film that involved me as much as this one did.

Antal also gives Frank Whaley his juiciest part in years, maybe even his entire career, and Whaley is up to the challenge of playing a truly despicable bad guy. It's a great part. Despite the pressure to be yet another "Saw", there's very little actual bloodshed in this picture. Instead, "Vacancy" scores big by being a throwback to the horror films of yesteryear, and it emphasizes story and suspense over sickening brutality. There's violence to be sure, but that's not what keeps you riveted to the screen.