Trailer of the Day: Room Six (2024) by Matt H. Miller, Michael Panico

About movie: https://filmfreeway.com/roomsixfilm

Link Review: https://www.flickeringmyth.com/psychological-horror-thriller-room-six-checks-in-with-trailer-and-poster/

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33301565/

Release date: The movie will be available to rent or own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting May 2, 2025.

"Room Six (2024)" by Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico: A Motel Night Shift Turns Sinister

"Room Six," a 2024 thriller directed by the first-time feature filmmaking duo Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico, plunges audiences into a night of unexpected terror at a desolate motel. The independent production, hailing from Chicago-based Vinco Creative, explores themes of trauma and its ripple effects against the backdrop of a tense and dangerous encounter.

About Movie (Detailed Summary)

The film centers on Maxx (Sophia Echendu), a college student working the seemingly uneventful night shift at a vacant, rundown motel. Her quiet shift takes a turn with the late-night arrival of two brothers, Red (Mickey O'Sullivan) and Danny (Jack Ball). Following a series of suspicious incidents involving the brothers, Maxx's curiosity is piqued, leading her to investigate what they might be hiding in their room – Room Six. As Maxx's investigation deepens, she uncovers a dangerous secret, putting her own life in jeopardy. The motel setting, with its inherent isolation and transience, contributes to the film's suspenseful atmosphere. "Room Six" is noted by its directors as an exploration of trauma and the domino-like effect of unresolved emotional wounds, particularly as seen in the dynamic between the two brothers, who have a history with the foster care system and past hardships. The film aims to shed light on the consequences of not confronting past trauma rather than demonizing mental illness.

Plot Summary

A college student working the night shift at a deserted motel finds herself in peril after investigating the suspicious behavior of two brothers staying in Room Six and uncovering a dangerous secret.

Director's Vision

As their debut feature film, "Room Six" allowed directors Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico to bring their vision for artist-driven content, rooted in the Chicago creative community, to a larger format. Their stated vision for the film is to delve into the profound impact of trauma and the cascading effects it can have on individuals when left unaddressed. Through the characters of Maxx and the two brothers, they sought to examine how past wounds can manifest in present difficulties and dangerous situations. While crafting a thriller narrative, Miller and Panico aimed for a thematic depth that explores the human cost of unresolved trauma, emphasizing that the film is intended to illuminate these struggles rather than stigmatize mental health issues.

Themes

• Trauma and its Aftermath: The film explores the lasting impact of past trauma on individuals and their relationships.

• The Consequences of Unresolved Issues: It highlights the dangers of not confronting and processing emotional wounds.

• Suspicion and Investigation: The narrative is driven by the protagonist's growing suspicion and her decision to investigate.

• Isolation and Vulnerability: The motel setting emphasizes the protagonist's isolation and increased vulnerability.

• Hidden Dangers: The film centers on the uncovering of a dangerous secret lurking beneath the surface.

• Survival: Maxx is ultimately faced with a situation where she must fight for her survival.

Key Success Factors

As an independent debut feature, the success of "Room Six" is likely tied to its reception at film festivals and its ability to resonate with audiences seeking intense genre films. Potential key success factors include:

• Compelling Thriller Premise: The isolated motel setting and mysterious guests create inherent suspense.

• Exploration of Relevant Themes: The focus on trauma adds a layer of depth to the genre elements.

• Performances of the Cast: The effectiveness of the central performances in conveying tension and character is crucial.

• Generating Buzz at Festivals: Positive reception at its premiere and subsequent festival screenings can help the film gain visibility.

• Resourceful Filmmaking: As a low-budget production, the film's ability to create a compelling and professional-looking thriller on limited resources is a factor.

Summary Short

"Room Six (2024)" by Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico is a low-budget independent thriller about a college student working the night shift at a motel who uncovers a dangerous secret involving two brothers, exploring themes of trauma and its consequences.

Awards and Nominations

The film premiered at the Grand Rapids Film Festival and has screened at others, providing opportunities for potential recognition within the festival circuit.

Critics Reception

As of late April 2025, there is limited publicly available critical reception or reviews for "Room Six (2024)." Information is primarily restricted to brief descriptions from film festivals and user ratings on platforms like IMDb and MUBI.

• IMDb User Rating: Shows a user rating of 6.4/10 based on a limited number of ratings, suggesting a moderately positive initial response from early viewers.

• MUBI: Lists the film but does not provide a specific user rating in the snippet.

• Festival Descriptions: Often highlight the film's thriller elements and its exploration of trauma as key aspects.

More comprehensive critical consensus is not yet available as the film awaits wider release and review coverage.

Reviews

Detailed reviews for "Room Six" are not yet readily available. Once the film receives wider distribution and critical attention, reviews are likely to focus on how effectively directors Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico build suspense within the confined motel setting, the performances of the lead cast in conveying the film's tension and thematic elements, and the execution of the thriller plot. Critics may also discuss how the film's exploration of trauma is integrated into the narrative and whether it successfully avoids genre clichés while delivering a compelling story.

Production

"Room Six (2024)" is a United States production from Vinco Creative, a production company based in Chicago. The film was directed and written by Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico. Producers include Devon Gulati, Katherine Williams, and Ariella Khan, with Miller and Panico also serving as executive producers. The film was shot on location at the Du Wayne Motel in West Chicago, Illinois, which serves as the central setting. The estimated budget for the film is reported as $250,000. JP O'Rourke was the cinematographer, Devin Delaney composed the music, and Kyle Delso and Brandon Grode served as editors. The film has a runtime of 81 minutes.

Production Companies

• Vinco Creative: (Country: United States) - Production company.

Sales Companies

• Talk Global Media

Distribution Companies

• Freestyle Digital Media

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Suspenseful Premise: The isolated motel setting and mysterious characters create a tense atmosphere for a thriller.

• Exploration of Relevant Themes: The film delves into the impact of trauma, adding depth to the genre.

• Independent Filmmaking: Supports a low-budget production from emerging directors and a regional film community.

• Intriguing Mystery: The plot centers on uncovering a dangerous secret.

Why to Watch Movie

• Interest in Independent Thrillers: If you enjoy suspenseful films made outside of major studio systems.

• Appreciation for Single-Location Films: The motel setting provides a contained and potentially claustrophobic environment.

• Curiosity About Emerging Filmmakers: To see the feature debut of directors Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico.

• If You Are Interested in Films About the Effects of Trauma: The movie explicitly addresses this theme.

What Movie Trend film is following

"Room Six" aligns with the trend of independent thrillers, particularly those that utilize confined or isolated settings to build suspense. Its focus on psychological elements and the impact of trauma connects it to a trend of genre films that explore deeper thematic content. As a debut feature from a regional production company, it also represents the ongoing trend of grassroots and local filmmaking.

What Big Social Trend is following

The film directly engages with the growing social awareness and discussion around mental health and the impact of trauma. By focusing on characters shaped by past wounds and the foster care system (for the brothers), it touches upon the long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences and the importance of addressing mental well-being.

Final Verdict

"Room Six (2024)" is a promising independent thriller that leverages a classic isolated setting to explore timely and relevant themes of trauma. As the feature debut from directors Matt H. Miller and Michael Panico, the film demonstrates their ability to craft suspense and delve into the psychological impact of unresolved wounds. While critical reception and wider audience response are still emerging, the film's intriguing premise and thematic depth make it a noteworthy entry in the independent thriller landscape. For viewers who appreciate suspenseful stories with a focus on character psychology and the consequences of past trauma, and who are interested in supporting emerging filmmakers, "Room Six" is a film worth seeking out as it becomes more widely available.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Utilize Limited Resources Creatively: Find innovative ways to build tension and tell a compelling story within budgetary constraints, especially in contained settings.

• Focus on Strong Characters and Performances: Invest in developing nuanced characters and directing actors to convey emotional depth, particularly when exploring sensitive themes like trauma.

• Explore Socially Relevant Themes within Genre: Weave in contemporary social issues or psychological concepts to add layers to genre films.

• Leverage Regional Film Communities: Collaborate with local cast and crew to create artist-driven content and build a production base.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support and Discover Regional Independent Cinema: Actively seek out and provide platforms for films produced outside of major industry hubs.

• Recognize the Potential of Genre Films with Thematic Depth: Invest in thrillers, horrors, and other genre movies that also explore meaningful social or psychological themes.

• Provide Distribution Opportunities for Festival Films: Help independent films that have received positive festival reception reach wider audiences through various distribution channels.

• Champion Stories That Address Mental Health and Trauma Responsibly: Support films that explore these sensitive subjects with empathy and insight.