The narrative follows Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a cynical author who serializes his investigations into allegedly haunted locations. Enslin’s skepticism is rooted in personal grief—the tragic loss of his young daughter. His journey brings him to the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, specifically to the notorious room 1408. Despite the ominous warnings of the hotel manager, Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), Enslin insists on staying in the room. What follows is a relentless, surreal assault on his sanity.
: The movie is based on a short story by Stephen King .