Vacancy (2007)

Vacancy is a 2007 American horror thriller film directed by Nimród Antal and written by Mark L. Smith. It stars Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson as Amy and David Fox, a married couple on the verge of divorce who become stranded at an isolated motel after their car breaks down. They soon discover hidden cameras in their room and realize the motel is a front for producing snuff films starring unwitting guests as victims. Frank Whaley and Ethan Embry appear in supporting roles as the sinister motel manager and a deceptive mechanic, respectively.

The screenplay by Mark L. Smith was inspired by his encounters with abandoned hotels in New Mexico and accounts of real-life voyeurism. Development began under producer Hal Lieberman for Screen Gems, with principal photography taking place over 34 days in late 2006 at locations in Santa Clarita, California, and on soundstages at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The production built the Pinewood Motel sets from scratch to create an authentic, claustrophobic atmosphere.

Vacancy was released theatrically in the United States on April 20, 2007, by Screen Gems. It opened at number four at the box office, grossing $7.6 million in its first weekend, and went on to earn $35.4 million worldwide against a $19 million budget. Critical reception was mixed; on Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 55% approval rating based on 123 reviews, with critics praising its restraint with gore but finding the characters thin. A direct-to-video prequel, Vacancy 2: The First Cut, was released in 2009.