ย Director: Nimrรณd Antal
ย Stars: Luke Wilson, Kate Beckinsale
ย “Vacancy” (2007), directed by Nimrรณd Antal, is a tense psychological horror-thriller about a coupleโs nightmare at a remote motel. David (played by Luke Wilson) and Amy (Kate Beckinsale) are driving through a deserted stretch of highway when their car breaks down. Forced to spend the night at a rundown motel, they quickly discover that something is terribly wrong. The motel manager, Motel Manager (Frank Whaley), seems unusual, and the couple begins to notice strange details.
The couple finds hidden cameras in their room and learns they are being filmed. They uncover the motelโs sinister secret: it records guestsโ murders. As David and Amy try to escape, they realize they are trapped by the motelโs owner. They must outwit him to survive.
The film builds suspense with its isolated, claustrophobic setting. The relentless fear of being watched adds to the anxiety as the characters struggle to figure out how to escape. The themes of trust and survival are explored as David and Amy go from strangers to partners in desperation.
ย Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale give strong performances. Wilson plays a vulnerable, everyman character, while Beckinsale shows toughness and determination. The pacing maintains high tension, blending psychological horror and sudden violence.
The cinematography works well in creating a suffocating atmosphere, with dark, narrow spaces that emphasize the coupleโs isolation. The tension escalates quickly, and the film remains engaging throughout, even as it follows a relatively simple premise. Though it doesnโt reinvent the genre, “Vacancy” is a solid, entertaining thriller. It provides an effective balance of suspense, horror, and survival.