Sara Paxton Recounts Her Filming of "The Innkeepers" at the Very Haunted Yankee Peddler Inn

By Zack Choo

Sara Paxton, who portrayed Claire in 2011’s “The Innkeepers,” states she had an unusual occurrence while shooting the film.

Sara Paxton “The Innkeepers”

Actress Sara Paxton (Claire, “The Innkeepers”) shares on Dead Talk Live she had a scary experience during the making of the film “The Innkeepers.”

The movie follows Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) employees at The Yankee Peddler Inn. This hotel is about to close down for good. Both of them share the same interest, which is Ghost Hunting.

During the Yankee Peddler Inn’s final weekend, Claire and Luke are the only employees working. As ghost hunting enthusiasts, they are fascinated by the hotel’s haunted history, a legend about Madeline O’Malley, a soon-to-be bride. Madeline hanged herself at the hotel in the 1800s after her fiance broke up with her.

Claire and Luke then decide to do a bit of Ghost Hunting in the hotel, and very soon, Claire gets more than she bargained for.

In a recent interview with Dead Talk Live, Sara Paxton shared that she and the whole production crew actually had to stay at the Yankee Peddler Inn during filming. Strange things began to occur during their entire stay.

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“I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I was very afraid when I got the part. I remember Ti West, the director, called me and excitedly told me: “Hey! Just letting you know we’re going to filming and staying at Yankee Peddler! Very haunted, super haunted, you’re going to love it! We had stayed there previously during the filming of “The House Of The Devil,” it’s like ghosts everywhere there!

I was very concerned about it. I went ahead and called my agent, telling her that I don’t want to stay in that hotel and telling her to help me find somewhere that is not haunted, like a comfort inn or something. It was so embarrassing and after that Ti had to call me and tell me to relax.

After I calmed down, I went to that hotel, and it was very spooky and weird. The whole crew was the same as the one who worked on “The House Of The Devil.” So they were very familiar with the place. That place is seriously creepy and old as hell! It’s like walking into a movie, It’s like a time warp.

Weird things would happen like my TV would turn on and off around 3 A.M. ! Not just me; everybody had weird things happen to them while we stayed at the Yankee Peddler Inn!

I was genuinely scared when I was on the screen!”

Sara also shared that they actually finished filming in just 17 days. Thanks to the director, Ti West. He knows exactly who he wants on the screen, and we had a really cooperative and efficient crew.

Sara Paxton “The Innkeepers”

As for the movie’s ending, Sara was very satisfied with it. It added a layer of mystery. It makes the audience question, Did Claire really die in the end? Anything else that could have possibly happened to her? Will there be any continuity to the story?

Sara also added that she almost didn’t get the role because Ti West initially wanted Brie Larson to play Claire. Plus, she was late for the lunch meeting with Ti due to her dog being sick and having vomited all over her clothes. Being late and desperate, Sara had to bring her dog to the meeting.

She rushed into the restaurant and apologized to Ti and the other attendees while still having dog vomit on her clothes. However, Ti West found it funny and thought she was perfect for the role.

Imagine the feeling of staying at a hotel and sharing a roof with supernatural beings and these unexplainable occurrences that keep happening. How would you feel? Would you avoid it as much as possible? Or would it excite you? Let us know in the comments!

If you enjoy movies with a good pace, good acting, and genuine reactions, definitely give “The Innkeepers” (2011)” a shot.

“The Innkeepers” premiered in cinemas on March 12th, 2011. Directed by Ti West, Stars include Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis, George Riddle. You can watch “The Innkeepers” on Amazon Prime and other Video on Demand Services.