Iffy for 16+
Taut, grisly horror movie has unexpected bite.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this horror movie isn't for kids, even those who like star Luke Wilson based on his romantic comedies. The violence is bloody and, once it starts, incessant. The prelude is even worse (snuff tapes show horrific attacks on victims with big knives, with screaming women's breasts exposed). The female lead takes prescription pills to combat depression; language includes lots of "f--k"s and plenty of other swearing.
- Families can talk about the fact that many horror movies use a familiar formula -- protagonists stuck somewhere terrifying -- to put viewers in another familiar place: being afraid at the movies. Why do people like being scared at the movies? What makes some horror movies better at accomplishing this goal than others? Does it matter that many of them end in similar ways? Families can also talk about how Amy and David's experience in the motel brings them back together, as their past becomes less important than their efforts to survive.
The good stuff
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Messages: Murderers are brutal, mostly silent, and implacable; protagonists are surly at first, then generous in their efforts to save each other.
What to watch for
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Violence: Brief discussion of a child who died before the film begins. Horror and chase scenes include scary pounding, a jump scene, and repeated efforts to inflict brutality. Snuff tapes are horrifically violent, bloody, and stark; they're left in the motel room to generate fear in victims to be; violence includes stabbing, neck cutting, kicking, hitting, and car smashing; bloodcurdling screams emerge from behind an office door (presumably from a TV); weapons include knives, a cable, and a six shooter. A horrified woman watches from a hiding place as her husband is stabbed.
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Sex: Naked body parts visible in the snuff tapes (legs, breasts); desperate kissing by couple in danger.
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Language: Lots of language, including multiple uses of "f--k" (at least 26), in addition to repeated uses of "b--ch," "son of a b--ch," "goddamn," "s--t," "hell," "a--hole," with come colorful phrases too ("Stinky as an old whore," "I'll take care of this prick").
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: References to David's use of "trucker pills" to stay awake and Amy's prescription medication (Zoloft, Prozac); viewers see her take a pill, which causes her to fall asleep while hiding.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Scary movie, but horrible ending by Pooja
I was frightened during the movie, it was really scary at times and violent and had me jumping, and it takes a lot to scare me. Just when I thought it would be predictable it was not, but then came the ending and I actually said ":are you kidding me?!" Now that I am at home and have time to think about it, it gave me the shakes, but the ending was bad. But whew, Thank you Hollywood, I will not get off the Interstate.
1
Waste of time.... by ambrosia
I went to screening last night...OMG the only thing that made my jump were the people in the theater screeming......the more you expect something the happen, the less likely it is to happen......we were hoping there would more with some sort of stupid explanation at the end of the credits...but no.
4
Suspend dis-beliefe by Mad-about the-movies
When my teenage niece drug me to this movie, I was quite prepared to hate it. I figured it would be a snoozer or way to gory. It was neither. I was pleasantly surprised and even jumped a few times between hiding my eyes under my hoodie. While it tried ignorantly to be a cross between Psycho and Texas Chainsaw ( this is no classic) it was suspenseful with out the blood and guts (there is some blood). The acting was fairly good. The plot was predictable, but if you allow yourself to go with it you will have fun. (There is only so many places Amy and David can go. At some point you have to wonder if the killers know their right from their left.) All in all, a fun movie for those who want a good scare with out the blood and guts. Oh yeah, it convinced my teenage niece not to take a solo road trip in a bad car.
5
I LOVED IT by brebre
me and my friend were really bored and so we decided to see it. we thought it was gonna be dumb and we absolutly loved it. it was a good thriller and of course no one will like the ending but thats why they will prob. make vacancy 2! and we cant wait!
4
Go see by Rybarra
Me and my wife enjoyed the movie alot. Like many of the other reviews, the ending did need a little help, but definelty not dissapointing.
1
Had potential but ended up being horrible by i-see-movies
15 minutes into the movie i thought that the movie had the potential to be a pretty good slasher flick. From that point onward though the movie went down like a mob snitch with cement shoes. It ending up being one of the worst movie i have ever seen with the most stupid ending EVER. DO NOT waste your money on this one folks, i did and i haven't stopped kicking myself in the head for not only wasting the money but my time as well.
2
Vacancy by scooterdeal
I am inclined to agree with Ambrosia. The lack of an end game lends this movie to be a waste. 1:20. It's not long enough to tell a complete story. Lacks fulfillment. The trailer IS the movie.The best parts are previewed. I suspect ( I HOPE) the editing was the problem since Luke and Kate are better than this. Please do not make a sequel. GO GATORS
3
Vacancy by dgaddy
Not bad if you go, I don't usually go for the horror type, but it held my intrest.
2
Predictible and over the top by kaisersosa_666
I think the title says it all. With the exception of the snuff film rape scene, my date and I laughed through the movie as we guessed correctly the coming events and dialogue. Within the first minute you could tell this movie was about a couple on the rocks who are about to embark on a crisis situation that gives them an epi rush and makes them love eachother again. LAME!!! I dont know if Luke Wilson dies or not, (the movie leaves you in suspense), but hell he managed to survive a vicious stab wound to the gut without going into hypovolemic shock or cardiac arrest after six hours so i just figured he was superman. I would skip ths movie unless you could see it for a dollar. I paid 18 dollars AND 80 minutes of my life.
1
stupid by xxkarmaxx
I only have one thing to say about this movie its boring. So dont see this movie.