1408 (film)

2007 psychological horror film directed by Mikael Håfström February 2026 January 2025 1408 1408poster.jpg Theatrical release poster Mikael Håfström Lorenzo di Bonaventura Matt Greenberg Scott AlexanderLarry Karaszewski "1408" Stephen King John Cusack Samuel L. Jackson Mary McCormack Tony Shalhoub Gabriel Yared Benoît Delhomme Peter Boyle Dimension Films Di Bonaventura Pictures The Weinstein Company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 2007 06 22 104 minutes United States English $25 million $133 million 1408 is a 2007 American supernatural psychological horror film based on Stephen King's short story published in 1999. It was directed by Mikael Håfström, written by Matt Greenberg, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, and stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows Mike Enslin, an author who investigates allegedly haunted places. Enslin receives an ominous warning not to enter room 1408 at a New York City hotel, The Dolphin. Although skeptical of the paranormal, he is soon trapped in the room, where he experiences bizarre and frightful events. 1408 was released in the United States on June 22, 2007, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (under The Weinstein Company). The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was a box-office success, grossing $133 million against a production budget of $25 million. Plot Mike Enslin is a cynical and skeptical author of niche books about supernatural events, in which he has no belief. While promoting his latest book in Hermosa Beach, California, he receives an anonymous postcard depicting The Dolphin, a hotel on Lexington Avenue in New York City, bearing the message: "Don't enter 1408." Viewing this as a challenge, Mike travels to The Dolphin and requests room 1408. The hotel manager, Gerald Olin, attempts to discourage him. He explains to Mike that in the last 95 years, no one has lasted more than an hour inside of 1408; the latest count is 56 deaths. Olin repeatedly and impassionately attempts to dissuade and bribe Mike, but at Mike's insistence and threat of legal action against the hotel, preparations are reluctantly made. While Mike describes the room's ordinary appearance and absence of supernatural behavior on his mini-cassette recorder as the "banality of evil", the clock radio suddenly starts playing "We've Only Just Begun", and the digital display changes to a countdown starting from 60:00. Mike begins to see ghosts of the room's past victims, along with flashbacks of his deceased daughter Katie and his terminally ill father. Mike makes numerous attempts to leave the room, all in vain. Mike uses his laptop to contact his estranged wife Lily and ask for help. The room activates the sprinkler system, short-circuiting the laptop, which starts to work again when the temperature drops to subzero. A doppelgänger of Mike appears in a video chat window, urging Lily to come to the hotel room. The room starts to shake violently, causing Mike to crash into a picture of a ship in a storm, from which water floods the room. He finds himself reliving a surfing accident from before he entered the room. Recovering in the hospital, he reconciles with Lily and assumes his experience in 1408 was just a nightmare; Lily encourages him to write a book about it. When visiting the post office to send the manuscript to his publisher, he recognizes members of a construction crew as Dolphin Hotel staff, who start destroying the walls, revealing that Mike is still trapped inside 1408. Katie's ghost confronts him, and when the countdown ends, the room restores itself and the clock radio resets to 60:00. A voice that sounds like a female hotel operator calls Mike on the room phone. Mike asks why he has not been killed and she informs him that guests enjoy free will: he can either relive the past hour over and over again, or use their "express checkout system". A hangman's noose appears, but he refuses to give in. The voice call once again, threatening that even if he escapes, he will never leave. Mike tells them to not send his wife to the room, hanging up as the phone begins to melt. Mike improvises a Molotov cocktail and sets the room on fire. He then lies down and laughs in victory upon destroying the room. The hotel is evacuated and Olin, in his office, praises Mike for his actions. Mike is rescued from the room by firefighters and he reconciles with Lily, though she is skeptical of his experience. She finds a box of Mike's possessions that were rescued from 1408 and Mike takes the damaged mini-cassette recorder from it. He briefly tampers with the recorder, making it work again. Suddenly, they both hear Katie's voice coming from it, confirming Mike's account. Cast John Cusack as Mike Enslin Samuel L. Jackson as Gerald Olin Mary McCormack as Lily Enslin Tony Shalhoub as Sam Farrell Len Cariou as Mike's father Jasmine Jessica Anthony as Katie Enslin Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Hotel Engineer Kim Thomson as Hotel Desk Clerk Benny Urquidez as Claw Hammer Maniac Angel Oquendo as Taxi Cab Driver Andrew-Lee Potts as Mailbox Guy Jules de Jongh as the Female Front-Desk Voice on the Phone (uncredited) Production Development In November 2003 and 2004, Dimension Films optioned the rights to the 1999 short story "1408" by Stephen King. The studio hired Matt Greenberg to adapt the story into a screenplay.David Rooney https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/dimension-checking-into-room-1408-1117895189/ Dimension checking into room '1408' Variety November 5, 2003 May 6, 2007 October 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184008/http://variety.com/article/VR1117895189.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 live In October 2005, Mikael Håfström was hired to direct, with the screenplay being rewritten by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117931616.html?cs=1 Hafstrom to direct '1408' Variety October 25, 2005 May 6, 2007 October 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011204909/http://variety.com/article/VR1117931616.html?cs=1 dead In March 2006, John Cusack was cast to star in the film,Ian Mohr https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/cusack-finds-a-room-in-king-s-1408-1117939468/ https://web.archive.org/web/20071011204929/http://variety.com/article/VR1117939468.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 live October 11, 2007 Cusack finds a room in King's '1408' Variety March 8, 2006 May 7, 2007 joined by Samuel L. Jackson the following April.Michael Fleming https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/1408-gets-another-guest-1117940923/ https://web.archive.org/web/20071011195657/http://variety.com/article/VR1117940923.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 live October 11, 2007 '1408' gets another guest Variety April 3, 2006 May 6, 2007 In July, Kate Walsh was cast to star opposite Cusack as the protagonist's ex-wife,Ian Mohr https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/walsh-s-room-is-1408-1200340113/ Walsh's room is '1408' Variety July 11, 2006 May 7, 2007 October 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184119/http://variety.com/article/VR1117946620.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 live but she was forced to exit in August due to scheduling conflicts with her role on Grey's Anatomy. She was replaced by Mary McCormack.Ian Mohr https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/1408-books-a-new-tenant-2-1200342094/ '1408' books a new tenant Variety August 13, 2006 May 6, 2007 October 11, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184125/http://variety.com/article/VR1117948401.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 live Filming According to Cusack, the Roosevelt Hotel in New York was used for some of the exterior shots of the Dolphin.Fandango Summer Movies – Movie Tickets and Theatre Showtimes https://archive.today/20070801070410/http://summermovies.fandango.com/roadtripmyfav.php?fid=15 2007-08-01 The lobby scenes were filmed at the Reform Club in London.http://www.ukonscreen.com/gjebgfb-1408-(2007).html Where was '1408' filmed? – British Film Locations British Film Locations 4 October 2014 17 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100817092043/http://www.ukonscreen.com/gjebgfb-1408-(2007).html dead Release Endings In addition to the ending that appears in the theatrical release, three other alternative endings were shot. In 2007, it was reported that director Mikael Håfström said the ending of the film was reshot because test audiences felt that the original was a "downer".Advance Hint At 1408 DVD Contents https://web.archive.org/web/20171010211349/https://www.cinemablend.com/dvdnews/Advance-Hint-At-1408-DVD-Contents-4676.html October 10, 2017, DVD News. However, in a 2024 interview, Håfström clarified that the theatrical ending was shot first and that alternate endings were shot later in a desire to "experiment". He also stated that he feels that the theatrical ending is "more rewarding" and "stronger, and much more emotional".Hermanns Grant August 31, 2024 Stephen King Director Explains Why 1408 Has Multiple Endings (& Which One Is His Favorite) https://screenrant.com/1408-movie-multiple-endings-why-director-favorite-explained/ October 12, 2025 screenrant Alternate ending #1 Mike dies in the fire. At Mike's funeral, Olin approaches Lily and Mike's publisher Sam Farrell. He unsuccessfully attempts to give her a box of Mike's possessions, including the tape recorder. Olin states that Mike did not die in vain, as the room was successfully destroyed. He later listens to the recording in his car and is saddened when he hears Katie's voice on the tape. He sees a little girl in a dress walking on the cemetery grass behind the car, calling out as if she is lost. He then sees Mike's burnt corpse in the backseat. Then he sees the same girl holding hands with her father as they walk away. Olin places the tape recorder back in the box and drives off. The final scene is of the gutted room, where an apparition of Mike assesses the death of the entity while smoking a cigarette. He hears his daughter calling for him and disappears as he walks toward the door. A door is heard closing and the scene fades. Alternate ending #2 Mike dies in the fire. Instead of the funeral scene, the sounds of a funeral are dubbed over shots of Los Angeles. Lily and Sam sort through Mike's effects. Sam returns to his New York office and discovers the manuscript that Mike wrote while he was in room 1408. As Sam reads the story, audio from Mike's experiences in the room is heard. In a final scene, Sam's office doors slam shut and Mike's father's voice says: "As you are, I was. As I am, you will be." Alternate ending #3 An alternative version of the theatrical ending, it has the same events but Lily does not notice Katie's voice on the tape and Mike reacts very happily at hearing her voice on the tape. Home media The DVD was released on October 2, 2007, by Genius Products with a standard 1-Disc Edition containing only the theatrical cut and a 2-Disc Collector's Edition that contained both the theatrical and director's cut.Official web site http://www.1408-themovie.com/ 2010-10-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20101208145605/http://www.1408-themovie.com// 8 December 2010 live On September 16, 2008, Genius released the movie on Blu-ray containing the director's cut.https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/1408-Blu-ray/1028/ 1408 Blu-ray 2025-11-21 www.blu-ray.com For many years, the theatrical cut remained elusive, as streaming platforms and several television broadcasts only had the director's cut. However, in 2021, when Lionsgate acquired the Weinstein Company library (which included everything Dimension Films released post-2005), they released the theatrical cut onto streaming platforms for the first time.Maddaus Gene 2021-07-15 Lionsgate Acquires Bulk of Weinstein Film Library in Spyglass Deal https://variety.com/2021/film/news/lionsgate-weinstein-co-library-spyglass-media-1235021200/ 2025-11-21 Variety en-US Lionsgate released the film containing both cuts onto Ultra HD Blu-ray on January 13, 2026, marking the first time since the initial 2007 DVD release that the theatrical cut has gotten a domestic physical home video release.https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=37455 1408 4K Blu-ray 2025-11-21 www.blu-ray.com Reception Box office In its opening weekend, 1408 opened in second place at the box office, grossing US$20.6 million in 2,678 theaters.https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=25&p=.htm Weekend Box Office Results for June 22–24, 2007 November 3, 2007 Box Office Mojo https://web.archive.org/web/20071010071014/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2007&wknd=25&p=.htm October 10, 2007 live 1408 had a production budget of US$25 million.https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=1408.htm 1408 (2007) November 3, 2007 Box Office Mojo https://web.archive.org/web/20071013231521/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=1408.htm October 13, 2007 live The film went on to gross US$132 million, of which US$71.9 million was from Canada and the United States. Critical response On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 1408 holds a rating of 80% based on 176 reviews, with the site's critical consensus reading: "Relying on psychological tension rather than overt violence and gore, 1408 is a genuinely creepy thriller with a strong lead performance by John Cusack."https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1408/ 1408 (2007) Rotten Tomatoes Fandango Media June 9, 2025 November 27, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171127044250/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1408/ live On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 64 out of 100, based on 27 reviews.https://www.metacritic.com/movie/1408 1408 Reviews Metacritic CBS Interactive October 5, 2019 June 13, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190613224736/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/1408 live Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.https://m.cinemascore.com/ CinemaScore cinemascore.com 2017-10-16 2019-12-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20191214005119/https://m.cinemascore.com/ live James Berardinelli awarded the film three out of four, calling it "the best horror film of the year". He offered significant praise for Cusack's performance as Mike Enslin, writing: "This is John Cusack's movie to carry, and he has no problem taking it where it needs to go." He found the film "reminds us what it's like to be scared in a theater rather than overwhelmed by buckets of blood and gore".https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/f/1408.html Review: 1408 Berardinelli James James Berardinelli 2007 preview.reelviews.net October 5, 2019 April 5, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230405173034/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/f/1408.html live Some critics called the film far superior to other adaptations of Stephen King novels and stories. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle described it as "one of the good Stephen King adaptations, one that maintains its author's sly sense of humor and satiric view of human nature" and "more genuinely scary movie than most horror films".https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Checkout-time-Much-sooner-than-you-think-2555033.php Checkout time? Much sooner than you think LaSalle Mick June 22, 2007 The San Francisco Chronicle October 5, 2019 September 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200925144826/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Checkout-time-Much-sooner-than-you-think-2555033.php live Several critics found the film underwhelming. Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe wrote a mixed review, describing the film as "a lot of consonants and no vowels". He compared it unfavorably to The Shining, a similar King adaptation, believing 1408 lacked that film's "lunging horror and dramatic architecture". He wrote that it "conjures a wonderful anticipatory mood of dread in the first 30 minutes, then blows it to stylish smithereens".https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9186 The Boston Globe As thrillers go, '1408' leaves too much room for fun Wesley Morris 2007-06-22 13 May 2008 2008-06-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20080605050114/http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9186 dead Rob Salem of the Toronto Star gave the film two out of four for seeming a predictable "hit and miss" production. Like Morris, Salem wrote: "Even as haunted hotel King movies go, 1408 is certainly no Shining. Not even the TV-movie version."https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/228197 The Star Toronto '1408': Hoary movie Rob Salem 2007-06-22 2010-04-18 2012-10-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002055350/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/228197 live See also Cell List of adaptations of works by Stephen King List of ghost films Silent Hill 4: The Room References External links 1408 (film) 0450385 1408 1408 1408 Category:2007 American films Category:2007 films Category:2007 English-language films Category:2000s ghost films Category:2007 supernatural films Category:2007 horror thriller films Category:2000s psychological horror films Category:American ghost films Category:American haunted house films Category:2000s haunted house films Category:American horror thriller films Category:American psychological horror films Category:American supernatural horror films Category:Di Bonaventura Pictures films Category:Dimension Films films Category:Films about child death Category:Films about writers Category:Films based on American short stories Category:Films based on works by Stephen King Category:Films directed by Mikael Håfström Category:Films produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura Category:Films scored by Gabriel Yared Category:Films set in hotels Category:Films set in Manhattan Category:Films shot at Elstree Film Studios Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios Category:Films shot in London Category:Films shot in Los Angeles Category:Films shot in New York City Category:Films with screenplays by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Category:The Weinstein Company films Category:English-language horror thriller films Category:English-language supernatural horror films