My quick rating - 4.8/10. Fame is a funny thing. One minute you're the star of The Corner Room, the next you're living in a motel with a television that appears to have exactly one job, and it's not very entertaining. Welcome to What Lives in Room 214?, a psychological horror featurette from Brandon Rice that explores the cost of fame, the dangers of getting comfortable, and the suspicious number of people who insist they can leave anytime they want. Seriously, is there a support group for that particular problem?
We begin with a narrator reflecting on a decade since his first stay in room 214 at the Sunset Hills Motel. This appears to be Corey King (Adam Joseph Turner), whose moment in the spotlight came courtesy of The Corner Room. After being encouraged by the locals to stay, Corey calls Ellie Wilkes (Jennifer Rizzi Horvath), launching us into a series of clips, including a podcast enthusiastically discussing his former glory. The old-school VHS fuzz during the channel changes is a nice touch. And that blue pause-and-play screen? It might be the second most famous blue screen we've all encountered. I'll leave you to decide what takes first place.
Corey soon crosses paths with Paul (Timothy J. Cox), and it's clear the locals know more about him than they're letting on. There's also the small matter of why he hasn't actually left town. He keeps assuring everyone, including himself, that he can leave whenever he likes. Naturally, he then invites himself to Paul's party. Nothing screams independence quite like settling into someone else's gathering while insisting you're free to go.
Their conversation around the firepit is one of the stronger scenes. They discuss showbiz, identity, and the timeless career advice of "fuck 'em." LOL. The banter feels natural, and both actors deliver solid performances. Then Corey returns to his room to find Mandy (Rachel Moore), who helpfully informs him that she, too, can leave anytime she wants. I'm detecting a theme here. Either that, or this motel has the world's least convincing checkout policy.
From there, reality starts getting slippery. Channel 2 offers a rather peculiar card game, while the limited practical blood effects remind us that this isn't exactly a Hollywood-sized production. Fortunately, the horror relies more on atmosphere and unsettling shifts in reality than buckets of blood.
Rice shows an appreciation for the masters of unconventional filmmaking, with moments that brought David Lynch to mind. The shifting perspectives between Corey and Paul's lives leave plenty of room for interpretation. And the not-so-subtle pounding on the Room 237 door for help LOL.
Ultimately, What Lives in Room 214? is an imperfect but intriguing cautionary tale about chasing fame and losing yourself along the way. It won't work for everyone, and its deliberately obscure approach can test your patience. Still, Rice shows promise behind the camera. He's a filmmaker worth watching, even if I'd think twice before accepting a complimentary night's stay at the Sunset Hills Motel.
Thanks to Timothy J. Cox for sending this one over. If you happen to be in Ohio and in this area, support indie film and go check out the premiere. And if you would like to know when this becomes available for streaming, get an email when streaming links become available.
https://jackmeat.com/what-lives-in-room-214-2026/
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