by Creepy old dilapidated roadside motels are the perfect setting for horror films. Psycho set this precedent but it isn’t as common as you would expect. Enter Vacancy. This horror film starring Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale got a lot of press at the time of its release, and I remember thinking it looked great from all of the previews I saw. I’m not one to be swayed by star power, but these two actors aren’t typical fare for the horror genre. Besides that the premise seemed like a unique one. The film didn’t exactly disappoint, but I wasn’t really blown away either. It scratches the itch but just barely, and is saved mostly because of a fantastic ambiance and relatable characters.
Vacancy begins in a car on a dark road in the middle of nowhere. Married couple David Fox (Owen Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale) are returning from a family gathering. Following the loss of their only child a few years back their marriage has been on a downward spiral, and the two cannot stand each other anymore as is readily apparent in the first few minutes of the film’s runtime. Tension only rises as the two realize they’re lost on an old mountain road, and after swerving to avoid hitting a raccoon their car begins making alarming noises. After some fighting they arrive at a small quaint town and stop at what is seemingly an abandoned gas station to get directions so they can get back on track. The attendant on duty shows them the correct way to go, and even gives the car a quick fix so that they can get to where they’re going safely.
Unfortunately for David and Amy their car breaks down just a mile down the road leading to more tension between the two. They manage to hike back to town and find the only open business is a run down motel across from the gas station where they earlier stopped. The two have hesitations about entering this establishment when they hear piercing screams coming from the back room behind the office, but the front deskman (Frank Whaley) re-assures them that it’s just from a movie he’s watching as ‘things tend to get pretty slow around here.’ With no hope of getting their car fixed until the morning the two reluctantly rent a room in hopes of getting a simple nights sleep. With no cable TV David puts an old VHS tape in the VCR and is watching what appears to be a horror film. Slowly he starts recognizing pieces of furniture and the setting in the movie. As it turns out the scene he’s watching on the TV, complete with people being murdered in it, is set in the very room they’re in. Thus begins a struggle for survival as several masked assailants stalk them all the while the cameras hidden in the room film the action for yet another snuff film.
The premise is fairly original. We’ve never had a horror film set in a dilapidated motel where the tenants become stars in homemade snuff films so I’ll give it that. Additionally the main characters are surprisingly realistic in the portrayal of their failing marriage. They constantly exchange verbal blows which includes some very personal subject material. It’s a bit uncomfortable to watch but that just goes to show how realistic their performances and the dialogue are. What’s more is that their relationship isn’t just there to fill dialogue; you actually see them get closer and forgive each other more and more as the film progresses. It leads to actual character development and despite the awkward exchanges in the beginning of the film I began caring about the two. Kate Beckinsale’s character in particular started out as an incredibly unlikable character, but she definitely grew on me throughout the film. Both she and Owen Wilson give pretty decent performances which transcend the genre.
Unfortunately the antagonists aren’t particularly memorable. They wear generic masks and hoods, and they’re basically interchangeable with those from any other similar movie. They don’t even have any real dialogue. Basically you’ll forget all about them minutes after the credits roll. Except for the creepy and off-putting front desk guy that is. He’s a legitimately good villain, but he doesn’t get nearly enough screentime. His final showdown is one of the most entertaining parts of the film. Unfortunately Vacancy isn’t particularly scary or frightening. The motel setting adds a certain retro ambiance that works really well here. It makes Vacancy feel vintage, and runs well concurrently with the other themes established. You can almost smell the old carpet and musty smell coming from the bathroom. The set designers did an absolutely incredible job of re-creating the feeling of a long forgotten run-down motel. It just isn’t as creepy as it could have been.
Vacancy feels fairly unique for a horror film which is a major accomplishment for a modern horror film. While the viewers have a pretty good idea of the direction this one is going to take right from the start it’s still a thrilling journey to watch the protagonists find out themselves. It’s not particularly creepy, nor is it the best horror film around, but if you’re looking for a good old fashioned slasher with a vintage feel and likable characters then this is a good choice as far as I’m concerned.
Pros
- Fantastic atmosphere
- Great casting
- Fun premise
Cons
- A little contrived
