Another actor may have made 1408 seem as thin and fake as an episode of Tales from the Crypt, but Cusack lends it that badly needed extra milligram of conviction.

Cusack always manages to underscore panic with irony.

You leave the film once again feeling that Stephen King is either not quite as good as his reputation or that most film-makers can't replicate the subtleties of his style.

That claustrophobic atmosphere, paired with complex storytelling and strong performances, makes 1408 a great watch, not only for the first time, but for a rewatch as well.