So, nobody else was at the Motel, and if that low level of custom was usual, how on earth had the motel not gone bust?
How had local cops or feds not noticed missing persons or investigated the place with Police dogs or DNA tests etc?
All with no outside contact?
All relevant points about a nonsensical storyline. They were making a lot of snuff movies, so that's a lot of people that disappear in that neck of the woods never to be heard from again. The spot must be a black hole of reason. It would have made more sense if the local authorities were in on the scheme, but that's yet another cliche...
Otherwise, I think that the motel doesn't make money operating as an actual motel, but as a "snuff film studio", churning out video after video for who-knows-what market. Kinda like HOSTEL, but for those that just want to watch from afar rather than do the killing themselves. It also reminded me of FEARDOTCOM, in which a website is the mode of broadcast of the killings.
This is one of those movies that has flashlights and light bulbs that don't cast light further than 8 inches, so one must seriously suspend disbelief to have a good time.
What bothered me the most was the muddled, abrupt and deeply unsatisfying ending. One of the worst movie endings I've ever seen. Needed a rewrite/reshoot, but the studio likely didn't want to spend more money on this turd.
So, nobody else was at the Motel, and if that low level of custom was usual, how on earth had the motel not gone bust?As someone above has explained, they made money from selling those tapes to people who'd pay a lot of money for that kind of video tapes. So, they pretty much don't care about how many guests come in there. In fact, they're happier when there's only one or two people coming in there at night.
How had local cops or feds not noticed missing persons or investigated the place with Police dogs or DNA tests etc?How could they have linked the missing people to the motel? All of the victims didn't plan to spend the night there as they're, like David and Amy, just people who happen to be stranded because they took a wrong turn. Since they always get rid of their victims' cars and bodies somewhere else, I don't think the police would be able to link those missing people to that motel. Think about it, a couple from San Fransisco are missing and another couple from LA are missing, too. How would the police know if both couples went to the same motel? Even if they somehow found a clue that leads to the motel, they won't suspect murder took place there right away. So, they'd only see an empty motel. Unless they insist on going to the room behind the reception counter, which is unlikely.
The market for snuff films is apparently booming. But let's face it. It's the sort of film about which you don't think too deeply.
shareIt's the sort of film about which you don't think too deeply.
It's the sort of film about which you don't think too deeply.
... it's not like it's some brainless action film ... It's just extremely weak in the logic department.Which would suggest to me you're not going to think too deeply about it. At least I didn't.🐭 share
I don't think its that weak in the logic department.
There are lots of old motels in small towns that are way off the beaten path. They are especially common in towns that were bypassed by the creation on interstate highways.
Its possible that rural folks could own these motels, and run them at a small loss.
Similar to the Bates Motel perhaps?
Anyhow, its a thriller, its not meant to be logically dissected.
There are lots of old motels in small towns that are way off the beaten path. They are especially common in towns that were bypassed by the creation on interstate highways.
True, but there are some small towns that are largely abandoned and are basically ghost towns, with only a dozen or so people. These are typically old mining towns or places bypassed by new highways or rail lines.
Sometimes a motel will stay in business in these towns in case of extreme weather causing stranded motorists. In fact, these types of motels sometimes receive government aid just to stay open.
I live in New Mexico, and there are a few such towns here.
The motel survived by making money from snuff movies.
It's that man again!!