The Innkeepers (2011) Review – A Cosy and Understated Ghost Story
The Innkeepers: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A charming and atmospheric slow-burn that prioritises character dynamics and mood over traditional jump-scares. The Innkeepers (2011) succeeds as a technical exercise in building tension, anchored by a fantastic lead performance from Sara Paxton. While the first half leans heavily into light-hearted comedy and mundane workplace drama, the transition into more sinister territory is handled with an understated precision. However, this deliberate pacing and lack of overt horror will undoubtedly frustrate viewers seeking more immediate thrills. The setting, while beautiful, lacks the inherent dread of more dilapidated genre locations, which may contribute to the sense of “lethargy” some feel. This 3.5 star effort is a cosy, well-acted, and technically solid ghost story that respects its gothic roots. If you enjoy character-driven suspense, it is a journey well worth taking. It is a subtle and effective piece of indie horror.
Details: Director: Ti West | Cast: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis | Runtime: 1h 41m | Release Date: 2011
Best for: Fans of indie horror, slow-burn mysteries, and those who enjoy a “paranormal investigation” vibe without the Hollywood bombast.
Worth noting: The film was actually shot at the real Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington, Connecticut, which the cast and crew claimed was genuinely haunted during production.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Tubi, Amazon🛒
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
(A patient and atmospheric ghost story that trades visceral scares for character charm and an understated, slow-burning sense of dread.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are reviewing The Innkeepers (2011).
Highlights
An old fashioned ghost story
The Innkeepers follows the story of Yankee Pedlar inn employee Claire (Sara Paxton) as she works her last weekend before the hotel closes for good. Her and coworker Luke (Pat Healy) are the only two employees left and their job is to ensure a smooth weekend of operation. Bored and wanting to get to the bottom of the location’s supposedly haunted past, Claire spends her time skiving off from work and wandering around the hotel exploring. Determined to uncover the truth about the ghosts and spirits apparently haunting the place, Claire might just get a lot more than she bargained for.
“The Innkeepers is a good old fashioned ghost story. Slow paced, the star of the show is, very much, the location itself. The Yankee Pedlar Inn is one of the oldest buildings in town.”
The Innkeepers is a good old fashioned ghost story. Slow paced, the star of the show is, very much, the location itself. The Yankee Pedlar Inn is one of the oldest buildings in town. With that age comes a lot of history. A jilted bride hanged herself and the owners hid her in the basement. Unfulfilled in life, she now haunts the place in death. Anyone expecting a full blown horror might be in for some disappointment, though. This is a movie that thrives on an understated sense of tension and some light comedy.
With that in mind, it succeeds. The Innkeepers does a really nice job of building tension over the first two thirds of its run time. Somewhat similar in pacing to Ti West’s previous movie, The House of the Devil, the character and scene setting are paramount. We follow Claire around through the hotel, jump when she jumps, and are curious when she is curious. She acts as something of an investigative avatar for the viewer and the movie is tremendous fun in this respect.
Her relationship with her co-worker Luke only adds to the movie’s charm. Claire is a bit ditsy and somewhat lacking in direction. Luke is something of a waster who has just hit middle age and has no real prospects. He works on his prehistoric-looking website, forever hoping that it will somehow lead him to riches. The two characters feel pretty well matched and play off of each other fantastically.
Light on the scares
The first half of this movie has an air of lightness around it. Everything that happens is mostly inconsequential. It’s just two bored co-workers trying to pass the time. The comedy elements are fun but this is where the movie might lose people. It’s an early Ti West trait, for better or for worse. As far as the horror goes, this film has a heavy second half that you have to wade through that comedy stuff to get to. This is when the exploration turns a little more sinister and a few legitimate threats are unveiled. Naturally, this balance isn’t going to be to everyone’s tastes.
“Everything that happens is mostly inconsequential. It is just two bored co-workers trying to pass the time. The comedy elements are fun but this is where the movie might lose people.”
It’s probably no surprise that The Innkeepers divides viewers. At its heart, it is a traditional ghost story that eschews more modern horror techniques for more of a campfire vibe. This is a movie that is far more keen on suggesting scares than actually attacking you with them. It’s cosy and occasionally haunting but its far from overt and might not have enough to keep all genre fans entertained. Some people love it, some don’t get it at all.
The Innkeepers was, generally, well received by critics. When it comes to the public, however, it was far more mixed. Some people absolutely loved the bizarre mix of comedy, inconsequential drama, and ghost story horror. Others hated it and found it to be incredibly boring. It is one of those rare horror movies that even fans of slow burn horror sometimes don’t like. It is worth keeping this in mind when watching.
Is this setting actually scary?
The Yankee Pedlar Inn is absolutely stunning. Clearly steeped in history; the antiquated stylings and the obvious charm of the place let the atmosphere down just a tad. It’s just not a very scary setting. Sure, the basement is a little creepy but most basements are unless you have a game room or a bar down there. Despite that, this looks like a place that is very much in business and incredibly desirable.
It might be a bit of a strange statement but I can’t help but think that this place would be jam packed if people knew that it was haunted. It’s absolutely stunning, very cosy looking, and the history would attract paranormal YouTubers en masse. That’s without mentioning legitimate customers who just need a well located hotel. I’d stay there for sure.
Honestly, it would have been better if they found a recently abandoned shit hole to use in the film, in my opinion. We need dilapidation, we need large empty rooms, we need broken lights and creaky floors. The location is just not scary and probably contributes to some of the boredom people feel while watching.
Excellent acting and a likeable cast
Claire is more than a just a side character. In the first half of the movie she is, pretty much, the entire film and an avatar for the viewer. Your guide around the hotel, if you like. It is her curiosity that pushes events forward and literally everything that happens takes place through her.
“I am a big fan of Sara Paxton. She reminded me of an adult version of Kevin McCallister from Home Alone. The novelty of being in a large hotel is apparent to her.”
I am big fan of actor Sara Paxton who plays Claire; I think she does a great job here. She reminded me of an adult version of Kevin McCallister from Home Alone. The novelty of being in a large, almost empty, hotel is apparent to her and was reminiscent of Kevin roaming his abandoned house. It helps that a young Paxton looks something like a female version of Macaulay Culkin. Her varied facial expressions and ability to really sink into her characters helps tremendously.
Pat Healy is always great. Luke’s a fairly simple character. A bit of a deadbeat and something of a dreamer. We have all met people like him before and Healy does a great job encompassing it. Again, he is a likeable character and Healy’s chemistry with Paxton is noteworthy. An interesting turn by Top Gun star Kelly McGillis playing a former actor that has developed a skill for psychic communication is very welcome. She does a great job and adds some extra depth to the story.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Sara Paxton: Delivers a truly likeable and expressive performance, serving as a perfect investigative avatar for the audience.
- Atmospheric Pacing: Ti West excels at building a “cosy” yet increasingly haunting vibe that feels grounded and authentic.
- Character Chemistry: The relationship between Claire and Luke is genuinely charming, making the mundane workplace scenes a joy to watch.
The Bad
- Light on Scares: Those expecting a high-energy horror film will be disappointed by the lack of overt scares in the first two acts.
- Divisive Tone: The mix of workplace comedy and ghost story horror doesn’t always land, potentially leaving some viewers bored.
- Lacking Dread: The beautiful and well-maintained hotel setting can sometimes feel too “safe” to be truly frightening.
The Ugly: The EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon). The use of audio equipment to capture the ghost’s presence provides the film’s most unsettling and hair-raising moments.
Should You Watch The Innkeepers?
Yes, if you appreciate a slow-burn. It is a 3.5 star film that rewards viewers who can settle into its patient rhythm and charming characters. While it may lack the aggressive horror elements of more mainstream films, its technical polish and atmospheric weight make it a standout indie ghost story. If you can handle the comedy-heavy first half, the sinister payoff is worth the wait. It is an essential watch for fans of Ti West’s specific directorial style.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
Support the Site Knockout Horror is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Basically, if you click a link to rent or buy a movie, we may earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep the lights on and the nightmares coming. Don't worry, we will never recommend a movie purely to generate clicks. If it's bad, we will tell you.
Disclaimer: Images, posters, and video stills used in this review are the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included here for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and review under fair use. Knockout Horror makes no claim of ownership and encourages readers to support the official release of all films discussed.
