Review Published 12th April 2026

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As a historic hotel nears closure, two long time employees uncover chilling theories that suggest its empty halls may not be as abandoned as they seem

After many years of operation, the hotel ‘Yankee Pedlar’ is in its final days and will soon close its doors for good. Still on duty in the lead-up to its closure are Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy), who continue to serve the remaining guests at the hotel.  It’s no secret that Claire and Luke have worked together there for years, and over time, the pair have shared their own theories that the hotel is, in fact, haunted. So convinced are they that Luke has even created a website where they document what they believe to be solid proof of the supernatural within its walls, including the story of a former guest who died at the hotel, Madeline O’Malley.

With the hotel days from closure, Claire and Luke make one last desperate attempt to prove the hauntings are real before time runs out

With only a few guests remaining and the hotel set to close permanently, Claire and Luke decide this is their final chance to capture solid proof. Using various pieces of equipment, including tape recorders, high-quality microphones, and cameras, the pair set out to do whatever it takes to confirm their ghostly theories.  Will Claire and Luke succeed, or are the hotel’s stories of hauntings simply in their minds, nothing more than hype and imagined nonsense?

A supernatural horror mystery from Ti West that blends ghost story tension with character driven drama

The Innkeepers is a horror film with strong supernatural elements, as well as touches of mystery and drama. The film was written, directed, co-produced, and edited by Ti West, who has also helmed titles such as In a Valley of Violence, X, Pearl, and MaXXXine as director.

A compelling ghost story elevated by atmosphere, strong direction, and a quietly unsettling sense of creeping dread

For positives, The Innkeepers is a strong ghost story with a simple premise and a small cast that carries the entire film. The hotel location is simply stunning and serves as a perfect setting throughout the runtime.  With a pair of characters hoping to capture proof while questioning the many bizarre events that have taken place in the past, what’s not to like? The film is playful enough that you’re happy to go along for the ride as the pair investigates and seeks answers, and it’s hard not to remain genuinely curious about how things will unfold.  Director Ti West does an outstanding job with the visuals, delivering a smooth, creepy style with a dark, cold atmosphere that feels perfectly fitting. The jump scares are also often effective, and even simple moments, such as a door slamming, manage to feel unsettling and tense.

An engaging ghost story with strong atmosphere and performances that ultimately falters in its final act and uneven dialogue delivery

While I found myself invested in the story, I must admit the film’s final moments and outcomes didn’t work for me. I felt a mix of disappointment and dissatisfaction, as the film builds to something that feels much larger in scope, only for the ending to come across as somewhat small and underwhelming- a missed opportunity to reflect on the journey.  Line deliveries from the key cast are, for the most part, quite good, but at other times they feel a bit cheesy, unfitting, and unnatural, almost giving off a TV movie quality.

A tightly crafted early Ti West ghost story that thrives on atmosphere and charm, even if its conclusion doesn’t fully land

Overall, this is a simple ghost story elevated by a small cast who carry the film with a genuinely likeable presence. What makes it especially effective is its playful approach to mystery, blended with a consistently suspenseful tone, a stellar single location, and yes, some very effective jump scares.  The dialogue is strong for the most part, though a few lines feel slightly cringeworthy or out of place. And if I’m being completely honest, the film’s final moments and conclusion are a little underwhelming when compared to the consistently creepy and engaging journey leading up to them.  Still, this is a great watch from Ti West’s early work before he went on to direct standouts like X, Pearl, and MaXXXine.

The Inkeepers (2011) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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