I came across Ti West's The Innkeepers by chance when I saw the cover in a film magazine whilst I was flicking through not WHSmiths; I can never remember what it’s called now and it’ll always be Smiths to me anyways. Suitably intrigued I managed to finagle a copy and sat down one cold, wet Autumnal evening to watch it. So, was my time well spent or was it an evening wasted?
Set in modern day (circa 2010s America, so an age away from the fresh hellscape we currently have over there) the film follows two slacker employees, Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy), who are determined to document the legendary paranormal activities of the Yankee Pedlar Inn during its final weekend of operation before it closes forever. However, in this refreshing take on the haunted house genre, what follows over the next hour and a half is a slow-burn supernatural tale that prioritizes atmosphere and character over jump scares and special effects.
The film's greatest strength lies in its masterful use of mood and setting. I’m going use that hoary old saying and say that the old hotel itself becomes a character—a maze of empty hallways, echoing stairwells, and dimly lit rooms that feels both charmingly old-fashioned and deeply unsettling. West takes his time, allowing the audience to soak in the pervasive silence and subtle sounds of the aging building. The scares, when they do arrive, are earned. They are often quiet, brief, and all the more effective for it, playing on psychological dread rather than cheap shocks. This style is a testament to West's control as a director, as he confidently builds a sense of unease that gradually tightens its grip.
Paxton and Healy deliver wonderfully naturalistic performances that anchor the film as their casual, witty banter feels authentic, providing a welcome human element that makes their budding ghost-hunting a believable pastime. Paxton, in particular, shines as Claire, portraying a character who is both quirky yet deeply vulnerable. Her transformation from a wide-eyed amateur investigator to a terrified victim is the emotional core of the film, and it's her relatable fear that ultimately makes the climax so chilling. The addition of Kelly McGillis as a former actress-turned-psychic adds an intriguing, if slightly strange, layer to the story.
Watching The Innkeepers, the atmosphere created by the low, constant drone in the sound design was effective. It wasn't just background noise; it felt like the hotel was breathing, a low hum of anxiety that got under my skin and made me feel like something was always wrong, even when the screen was still and quiet. It was the perfect complement to the way the camera moved. I noticed the Steadicam footage was often at these strange, skew-whiff Dutch angles, tilting the whole picture and making the hallways and rooms feel warped and unsettling; it made me feel the same claustrophobia and unease that the main character, Clare, was experiencing. It was a really effective way to put me directly into her anxious, disoriented state of mind, making the whole film an exercise in creeping psychological horror.
Overall, The Innkeepers is a film for a specific kind of horror fan: one who prefers the quiet terror of a classic ghost story over the flashy spectacle of modern horror. It's a character study first and a haunted house story second, and its deliberate pacing and atmospheric tension rewards patient viewers with a truly unnerving experience. So while it may not appeal to those seeking torture porn, flashy violence or jump-scares, it will reward lovers of old-school horror. This film is an intriguing little gem and pretty enjoyable and so I recommend it!
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