Across the Hall, directed by Alex Merkin and co-written with Jesse Mittelstadt and Julien Schwab, builds upon Merkin’s earlier short film from 2005. The cast includes Mike Vogel, Brittany Murphy, Danny Pino, Natalie Smyka, and Brad Greenquist; Bobby Tahouri composed the music and Andrew Carranza was responsible for the cinematography. The narrative centers on Terry (Pino), who has booked a hotel room across from June’s (Murphy), his fiancée, suspecting her infidelity at the Riverview Hotel. It's undeniable that Alex Merkin is passionate about film noir; this shines through in the complex plot, well-developed characters, and impressive visual presentation. A nod to the genre comes with a movie playing at the theater next door—Nightmare Alley, the excellent 1947 Tyrone Power noir. The production design is exceptional; Carranza’s photography is both striking and ethereal, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere appropriate for the unfolding events. The music by Tahouri adds to this feeling, as does the Art Deco aesthetic of the Riverview Hotel, which provides a fitting backdrop for what transpires. However, the story itself feels familiar, and while there are some unexpected turns and shifts in timeline, they don't manage to elevate it beyond a predictable course. This is disappointing because the acting is strong, and Merkin’s appreciation for noir as an artistic form is evident. The ending arrives without surprise but is executed competently enough to satisfy those who have invested their time, though ultimately Across the Hall only slightly surpasses mediocrity—its strengths lie primarily in its visual presentation rather than its narrative depth. It earns a 6/10.

Source on TMDB