Could it really be true? Have I finally found a modern era movie worth comparing to - dare I say - Alfred Hitchcock? Crazy as it may seem Vacancy definitely taps into the abilities of Hitchcock as it tells a tale of terror in a subtle and nonchalant way allowing the actors and the situation to tell the story as opposed to relying on flashy camera tricks and CGI to scare the audience. Director Nimrod Antal realizes that it isn't things that go bump in the night or cats jumping out of nowhere that create dread, instead it is a fear of the unknown as this claustrophobic thriller will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.

David and Amy Fox (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) are in the midst of the final moments of a rocky marriage and on their way home from a family function when all goes wrong. Experiencing car trouble they find themselves in a motel out in the middle of nowhere and ultimately become the target of the snuff film director (Frank Whaley) running the place. It's a simple story and there are a few twists and turns that allow for plenty of surprises.

Wilson and Beckinsale work well as the victims, but Frank Whaley and his minions are where the film finds its creepy factor. They are quiet, calculating and have an air of confidence that adds to the suspense. However, it is the directing and straight-forward editing that makes this film work. We aren't bombarded with flashy imagery and quick cuts. Filmmakers now days don't seem to realize that style of filmmaking lent itself well to The Ring, but that doesn't mean it works for every other movie of its ilk.

Features included on the disc include a few deleted scenes, some extended snuff films and a making of feature. The deleted scenes include an alternate opening segment, which I would have much rather had as opposed to the 3 minute long credit sequence that is entirely unnecessary and has nothing to do with anything the film has to offer. The making of feature is better than expected since I was actually interested in hearing these folks talk. It was cool to see the creation of the studio set and to hear the filmmakers talk about how the film came to be considering it is rare nowadays to make a satisfying thriller. As for the extended snuff films, I don't really get off on that stuff so I skipped 'em. There was enough of that in the film, no need for more.

I whole-heartedly recommend Vacancy based purely on the fact that I think it is about as close as any filmmaker has come to treading Hitchcockian waters in a long time. Suffice to say, it is a pretty creepy little flick.