Vacancy

I liked it. Wilson and Beckinsale are a separating couple unhappy after the loss of their child. On a long trip, Wilson takes the anticipated shortcut and the car, as always, breaks down. Of course, the only place to bed for the night is a no-tell motel. They soon discover the proprietors use the motel as a setting to make snuff films involving the guests. The whole movie is about trying to survive and escape… and may remind you of the The Hills Have Eyes (especially due to a network of tunnels). Amazingly, that’s all there is to tell. I will say that all the performances were good, and Beckinsale thankfully gave better than her average performance without wearing anything skin-tight.

Although the introduction of the loss of the couple's child was used to make us sympathize with the characters, it was never really developed in any manner. It was just a convenience that I found patronizing. Seriously, any past tragedy is soon forgotten when you're being chased by a murderer. I can hear it now, "Aaah! He sliced my arm! It reminds me of the time young Bobby scraped his elbow! Aaaiiieeee! He's trying to kill me!! I sure miss little Bobby." Another aspect of this argument is that a bad relationship probably wouldn't affect someone's request for help: "Someone help me! No, not you! We're still fighting!" But I give it 7 outta 10.