THE INNKEEPERS (2011)

4 stars

Second Sight. Limited Edition dual 4K UHD/Blu ray. 25th August

Whilst it is obvious from his output that director Ti West is a genre fan, it wasn’t until his recent X trilogy with Mia Goth that I rated his work – up until then it had been a bit hit and miss. Though I do remember liking the title under review when I saw it at FrightFest and I am pleased to report it holds up well.

Claire (Sarah Paxton, who interestingly is married to WEAPONS director Zach Creggar) arrives for work at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. It is the last weekend as it is going out of business. She is greeted by her compatriot Luke (Pat Healy) and they talk about their last chance to look into paranormal activity at the supposedly haunted establishment. Luke has even put together a website about the place – but they hope to find actual proof.

The places has history – there is the story of Madeline O’Malley, who came there in the 1800s and supposedly never left.

A famous actress, Leane Rease-Jones (Kelly McGillis), who will be important later, checks into the basically empty hotel. Claire is a big fan.

As night falls, Claire starts to hear noises. Is it O’Malley? Is it real or imagined?

The complete opposite of writer/director West’s recent output, this a low key, slow build, atmospheric mystery chiller, some would say old fashioned, with well sketched out main characters and a nice line in humour to balance the building suspense. Subdued but increasingly creepy, with effective use of sound and a great score by Jeff Grace. I enjoyed this compelling ghost story on second viewing. This was shot at the actual hostelry in Connnecticut – West and his cast and crew had stayed there whilst making THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009).

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

Two Audio commentaries: with writer/director/Editor Ti West, producers Larry Fessenden and

Peter Phok, and Sound Designer Graham Reznick/with Ti West and actors Sara Paxton and Pat Healy

Interviews with Ti West/Pat Healy/Larry Fessenden/cinematographer Eliot Rockett/composer Jeff Grace/line producer Jacob Jaffke

Behind the Scenes

Trailer

You also get rigid slipcase with new artwork by Nick Charge/120-page book with new essays by Becky Darke, Barry Forshaw, Prince Jackson, Craig Ian Mann, Rebecca Sayce and Heather Wixson/Six collectors’ art cards