Dante's Hotel offers an intriguing blend of mythology, low-budget ingenuity, and the kind of atmospherics that make you think you're watching an old-school B-movie reimagined through a modern lens. Think The Shining meets The Twilight Zone, with just enough budget to avoid looking like a high school play-though a couple of rubber-faced monsters might make you double-check if you're still in the right movie.
The story, weaving ancient mythology with a sinister hotel setting, is both clever and engaging. The direction is impressively stylish: Kudos to the director for squeezing maximum suspense out of every angle, pan and scene. Even when the CGI wobbles like a particularly unsteady drunk at closing time. The performances are surprisingly strong, with Judd Nelson in one of his better roles since The Breakfast Club, proving that he's still got that raw, world-weary charm.
That said, the film falters toward the end. The grand finale is more chaotic than a Fast & Furious set-piece, leaving you wondering if the writers took a wrong turn halfway through. And the script has occasional hiccups-"They've booked hotel's in the room!" being a prime offender. Then there's Father Time, all rubber hands and a dodgy mask. Still, Dante's Hotel is a flawed gem worth checking in for-just don't plan on staying the night.
