A family trip takes a terrifying turn when Megan, her husband, and their young daughter become stranded at a remote, grand hotel during a ferocious blizzard that cuts off all power and escape. The situation grows increasingly claustrophobic when Megan unexpectedly runs into Alex, her intense and charismatic high school sweetheart, whom she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Their awkward reunion sparks immediate tension, but the real nightmare begins when her husband and daughter vanish without a trace from the cavernous, darkened hotel.

Isolated and panicked, Megan doesn’t know who to trust. The charming hotel staff seems to be hiding something, Alex is far too interested in rekindling their past, and the other stranded guests all have secrets of their own. Forced to confront the ghosts of her own history, Megan must navigate a labyrinth of lies and hidden agendas within the decaying opulence of the hotel. As the storm rages outside, a killer stalks the halls inside, and Megan must race against time to uncover the truth and save her family before the snow stops falling and the evidence is buried forever.

Meet the Cast of Murder at the Hotel

– Samora Smallwood as Megan

Samora Smallwood delivers a powerhouse performance as Megan, a mother and wife whose quiet weekend away transforms into a relentless fight for her family’s survival. Smallwood masterfully portrays Megan’s rapid evolution from a frustrated vacationer to a woman consumed by primal, maternal fear. Her performance is a gripping blend of razor-sharp intelligence and raw, panicked emotion, as she uses every ounce of her strength to piece together the puzzle while the walls close in around her. She is the heart and spine of the film, a relatable everywoman pushed to her absolute limit.

Smallwood ensures that Megan is more than just a victim; she is a resourceful and determined protagonist. Her character is forced to confront not only the immediate physical danger but also the emotional turmoil of her past relationship with Alex, blurring the lines between past and present danger. Smallwood’s ability to convey deep vulnerability alongside fierce resolve makes Megan’s journey both terrifying and inspiring, anchoring the film in a deeply emotional and personal struggle against impossible odds.

– Matt Wells as Alex

Matt Wells is perfectly cast as Alex, Megan’s enigmatic and charming high school sweetheart whose sudden reappearance is far from a coincidence. Wells brings a compelling mix of nostalgic warmth and unsettling intensity to the role, keeping both Megan and the audience constantly guessing about his true intentions. Is he a potential ally in her desperate search, a distracting remnant of her past, or something far more sinister? Wells expertly navigates this ambiguity, making every interaction laced with unspoken history and potential threat.

Wells’s chemistry with Samora Smallwood is electric, fraught with the tension of what was and what might have been. His performance is key to the film’s psychological tension, as his character’s knowledge of Megan’s past makes him uniquely able to manipulate her fears and doubts. Wells ensures that Alex is a complex figure—simultaneously a source of potential comfort and a major red flag, embodying the film’s central question of who can truly be trusted.

The Supporting Ensemble

While the core mystery revolves around Megan and Alex, the film is populated by a host of suspicious characters, all trapped together and each with a motive to lie. The hotel’s smooth-talking manager, a bickering couple, a solitary business traveler, and a nervous housekeeper all become potential suspects in Megan’s eyes. This ensemble creates a classic “whodunit” atmosphere, where everyone is a stranger and every friendly gesture could be a deception, ensuring that the suspense remains high and the true killer’s identity is a secret until the final, shocking moments.

The confined setting of the grand hotel, combined with the relentless blizzard, forces these characters into tense proximity, where alliances shift and secrets are exposed under pressure. The ensemble works together to create a claustrophobic web of suspicion, making the hotel itself feel like a gilded trap where the greatest danger isn’t the storm outside, but the people trapped inside with you.

Why Murder at the Hotel Is a Must-Watch

• Non-Stop Suspense: A classic locked-room mystery updated with modern twists and relentless tension.

• Relatable Heroine: A protagonist whose maternal drive makes her fight feel incredibly real and high-stakes.

• Atmospheric Setting: A secluded, snowy hotel provides the perfect backdrop for romance, mystery, and murder.

• Twist-Filled Plot: Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another secret is revealed.

Check In. But You Might Not Check Out. Murder at the Hotel premieres September 14, 2025, on Lifetime.