MovieChat Forums > Vacancy (2007) Discussion > 7 problems with Vacancy

7 problems with Vacancy

posted 9 years ago by Matthew_Moviebuff
5 replies | jump to latest

1. The hotel being dirty was really cliche, especially the closeup of the cockroaches. And you would think that the killers would actually want the rooms to be perfect so that their victims don't decide to leave.

2. It doesn't make any sense why they would leave the snuff films on top of the TV.

3. The ending zoom-out shot was too short and began way too far away from the characters, so it didn't make as much of an impact as it could have.

4. No locks on the trapdoors, just a simple bathroom mat? That's ridiculous...

5. Kate Beckinsale noticing the apple in the bathroom would have been much creepier if it happened before the wall banging and before they saw the videos.

6. It would have been an interesting twist if it turned out that the people banging on the door weren't the killers, but were victims with hands over their mouths trying to get help.

7. It's always possible that a customer could have a gun on them and kill all of the intruders, including Frank Whaley.

[–] Slap-happy 9 years ago

Not sure they are all problems, really.

1. It's a cheap, run-down motel in the middle of nowhere. It's not really that much of a surprise that it wouldn't be pristine. The bulk of clientele would be the type who'd be a bit lost and tired, in the middle of nowhere at night wanting somewhere to simply crash out. That leads directly to point 4. No locks? If the place is a little dirty and all you want to do is sleep are you going to be lifting up bathmats to see if there's anything under them? I certainly wouldn't. Besides, locking them would kind of defeat the purpose.

2. Introduce an element of fear in the guests who check them out. Chances are, after a day of driving, once it's dark and you're heading to bed a movie can be a pleasant way of falling asleep in front of. Starting to watch one of these, the result would be the realisation that you are in the room and then the banging starts... it's late, the fear factor is increased and it makes for better viewing (from the point of view of the type of person wanting to purchase such movies).

3. I didn't feel so. Maybe others do. Purely a matter of opinion.

5. Timing and opportunity? Either way it's appearance was enough to increase the momentum of the impending doom.

6. See point 1. The place was in the middle of nowhere. That could mean having to keep victims alive for days or even weeks which would increase the chance of the killers being discovered.

7. Possible. Although that would mean they'd have to have it to hand, loaded and ready to fire. Unlikely if you are trying to sleep. The footage found seemed to show the victims wearing underwear or nightwear so having a weapon immediately to hand is unlikely. Even if it's on the bedside table, being taken by surprise in the middle of the night is probably not going to mean you would be automatically reaching for it.

Where is everybody?

[–] Matthew_Moviebuff 9 years ago

You make a lot of really good points, but I still disagree about number 2. The reason why it's stupid to let the customers watch the tapes is because it then gives them plenty enough time to get a weapon ready if they have one.

If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.

[–] Slap-happy 9 years ago

Perhaps it's merely an aspect of my not being an American that i don't feel compelled to travel everywhere with a loaded gun...?

I jest, but in seriousness, a lot of people wouldn't be quick enough to make an immediate connection and by the time they had the attackers would already be hammering at the door. Presumably the motel manager wouldn't leave things that could easily be used as weapons lying around in the guest rooms and the reality of accessing your own gun when the assailants are practically upon you and more than willing to kill isn't as easy and straightforward as modern fiction would always suggest.

Where is everybody?

[–] TheDarkKnightMatter 8 years ago

I agree with the roaches, being a motel, roaches most likely won't exist there due to the lack of food source. But the tapes are tere purposely to scare them, and as soon as they figured out it was in that room, it was too late to leave.

You're just being a perfectionist nitpicking at little details. Go make your own movie if you're complaining about tiny details you didn't get.

[–] TheDarkKnightMatter 8 years ago

Not every one can carry a gun across state line. If you had a clue then you wouldn't ask. So you speaking of guns but have no knowledge of it. Easy to check the plates of the car and know if they can carry from that state over unless the states that thry came from honors the CCW. CCW is state controlled and 2nd Amendment is federal.