The Lost Room (TV)
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The SciFi Channel's original movies are usually pretty hokey, but this miniseries / movie (and basis for a running series?) is far from that — it's not only a good story with a good cast, it looks good too, thanks to the richly detailed sets, desolate locations, realistic props, and conservatively-done special effects.
The intelligent, thought-provoking story follows Det. Joe Miller (Peter Krause), an everyman — he's not a psychic detective or anything like that — who investigates a mysterious motel room which acts as a portal to alternate universes. When his daughter (Elle Fanning) gets lost inside the magical room, the case becomes personal, drawing him into a treacherous web that could mean the end of the world as we know it.
As Joe follows her trail, he learns that "the Objects" which were once in the hotel room in the real world have been imbued with special powers, and he must track them down, collect them, and find the right combination to align the universe and return his daughter to him.
It's nice to see Peter Krause stretch a bit after his long-running role as troubled Nate on HBO's hit series Six Feet Under — he plays the relatable, likable, "everyman" very well. The supporting cast is top-notch too, especially the "villains" who are more shades of gray than black and white. Dennis Christopher (whom you might remember from 1979's Breaking Away, or most recently in Deadwood) is superb as the wily Dr. Martin Ruber; Kevin Pollak is also a dad who's lost a child, and he will stop at nothing to unlock the secrets of the "lost room", even if it costs Joe his daughter; and comedian Margaret Cho is perfect as the no-nonsense mercenary who will sell info on "the Objects" to the highest bidder, no matter what their agenda.
What I really loved about The Lost Room was that it's a truly puzzle-like thriller, with details that unravel piece-by-piece like a good mystery novel. For horror fans, there are some super-creepy supernatural aspects which are both enticing and scary. I hate to compare The Lost Room to anything, but if you were fans of shows like Friday The 13th and The X-Files, you'll be sure to want to lose yourself in The Lost Room.
The Lost Room aired over three nights this week, but if you missed it you can catch all the episodes back-to-back this weekend.
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson