If you’ve been playing along with our 31 Days of Halloween, then you’re well aware that Tuesdays are dedicated to Supernatural Spooks. While director Ti West’s brand of slow burn horror tends to be divisive, as slow burn horror is in general, The Innkeepers presents itself as a worthy selection for being based around and shot in an actual haunted hotel; the Yankee Pedlar Inn.
A historic hotel located in Torrington, Connecticut, The Yankee Pedlar Inn was originally built by owners Frank and Alice Conley, in 1891. It was a family-owned and run business; Alice was the manager while Frank worked as the hotel’s operator. Eventually, Alice died on the hotel’s premises, in room 353. Rumors developed that the hotel is haunted, and most of the paranormal activity is reported from that room. The hotel closed in December 2015 for major renovations, but those plans stalled. As of now, the hotel still remains closed, making The Innkeepers feel all the more eerie.
Synopsis: The Yankee Pedlar Inn is in the process of closing. During its final weekend of operation, Claire and Luke are the only employees working. As avid ghost hunting enthusiasts, the pair toggle between checking in old guests and digging into the hotel’s haunted history to determine if the place is indeed haunted.
Key Players: Sara Paxton stars as Claire, and Pat Healy plays her ghost hunting partner in crime, Luke. The film rests mostly on their shoulders, but look for Kelly McGillis to play a crucial role as former actress Leanne Rease-Jones.
Why It’s on the List: While The House of the Devil was West’s throwback to ‘80s Satanic Panic, this movie is his throwback haunted house fare. It’s a mumblegore film, meaning that it’s a horror movie that places an emphasis on the dialogue and the relationship between Claire and Luke over narrative. In other words, it’s one that’s guaranteed to polarize. But Claire and Luke are highly likable, and the supernatural elements are great. The hotel atmosphere is effectively creepy. The thrilling conclusion injects adrenaline to an otherwise sleepy ghost story, and that final parting shot elicits chills.
“I Don’t Want to Scare You, But”: Everything you need to know to give you an idea of the spooky atmosphere, pace, humor, and characterization of The Innkeepers is contained in this clip. Alone at night, Claire hears weird banging somewhere in the hotel. Cautiously, she gets up from behind the front desk to investigate…
Where You Can Watch: The Innkeepers is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.