Across the Hall is a Dark and Gripping Tale

I am warning you. Do not leave your hotel room.

Across the Hall is a thriller that entered theaters in 2009. Julian is convinced that his girlfriend is having an affair. In a desperate attempt to confront her, he goes to a rundown hotel and makes an alarming discovery that his best friend Terry is in a dangerous situation involving a hostage.

Across the Hall is a captivating thriller reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock film. It had a unique blend of mystery and psychological thriller in its storytelling and editing process. This movie was so good and effective in its mystifying storytelling that viewers may find that they need to watch it again.

Mike Vogel, Danny Pino and the late Brittany Murphy attain incredible performance in Across the Hall. These characters are in conflict with their conscious and hidden motivations. Vogel and Pino were spectacular as their characters, especially in their interactions.

Their characters held several important nuances such as Vogel portraying Julain’s sense of vulnerability and and Pino capturing Danny’s conflicted nature.

I have always been a fan of the late Brittany Murphy. Her subtle acting techniques are not talked about enough. She was typecast but she always played characters differently. Sadly, two weeks after the release of this film, Murphy unexpectedly passed away. With the outcome of her character, it was tough to watch this film.

Aside from the acting, the editing for Across the Hall merits high praise. The film utilizes quick cuts and cross-cuts between various scenes, a technique that is rare in filmmaking nowadays.

Editors carefully heightened the tension using quick cuts which added to the frantic atmosphere of the film. It effectively conveys the characters' increasing desperation and the urgency of their situations while keeping audiences engaged.

The film utilizes atmospheric lighting, clever camera angles, and inventive framing to assemble a visually stunning experience. One of my favorite shots in the film is when the neon hotel sign is seen in this gorgeous vertical shot. The use of shadows enhances the somber mood and the stifling setting.

Hotels contain several stories of the past which assemble significant settings for thriller films like Across the Hall. The Riverview Hotel is a character of its own.

Did you know that the set for Across the Hall was built on the same Universal stage as the original still-standing Phantom of the Opera set? Designers did an outstanding job furnishing this rundown hotel to make it look cozy and as a foreboding setting.

Alex Merkin filmed Across the Hall in 17 days. He matched famous thriller director Alfred Hitchcock's style with Across the Hall. Hitchcock was one of my favorite directors, crafting unique techniques. Although the style is noticeable, it does not ruin the film.

Pay very close attention to the story. With how the film is edited, it’s a bit confusing. Across the Hall tells its story in different techniques from other mystery-thrillers. Perspectives are changed rather quickly and it shifts tones.

That is on purpose. Viewers become paranoid. Paranoia is the key theme in Across the Hall, particularly amongst the characters. Ultimately, the story is easier to follow once you understand what’s at play. Any film needs a change from its usual formula to test something new.

Across the Hall is an expanded film based on a 2005 short film. I want to find this short film and watch it. Across the Hall is an on-edge thriller-mystery. Check out this film if you are a fan of the mystery genre this October. Find it streaming on Tubi.