Bad Times at the El Royale: A Review

This late 2018 thriller will leave you opened mouthed in sheer and utter surprise. Honestly. Bad Times at the El Royale has made its way to the top of my Must Watch list, easily being one of best films I've seen on screen.

First thing's first, as you can see from the cast list above, the movie lends itself to talented actors who display a range of complex, twisted and emotionally convincing characters.

The story follows seven strangers to a mysteriously run-down 60's hotel, on the border between California and Nevada. Here, we see how dangerous and untrustworthy even the simplest of characters can be: A priest, a black soul singer, a salesman, two runaway sisters and and the strangest character you'll ever see Chris Hemsworth play (Thor, 2009 Star Trek, Snow White and the Huntsman). They all arrive at the hotel on the same night, expressing the need to seek out some sort of redemption for a sin or error in their lives.

But, their solace is soon twisted into a sick, bloody fate with totally brutal results.

Written and produced by Drew Goddard, (also behind Cloverfield, Cabin in the Woods, World War Z and The Martian) this film will shock you to the core. Goddard's portrayal of these well-thought-out characters, whose lives intertwine and disrupt one another, is a work of genius.

Each individual has a dark but convincing background. Not to mention that of the hotel receptionist, Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), a deeply troubled young man - the only hotel staff member to remain on site, which simply adds to the peculiarity of the setting.

When each path collides in the El Royale hotel, the world of cinema turned upside down for me. I was at a viewing at the Pheonix Cinema Falmouth, (which was already shaping out to be a great experience in the VIP screen, where they served chips and wine throughout the film!) Here, I was hit with surprise within the first minute of screen time.

The plot carefully unfolds in chapters, giving you different character perspectives of the same event; scenarios of social conflict such as the implicit sin of race, the boundaries of religion, crime and sexual desires, to name a few. As an audience, it goes without saying that these themes are uncomfortable to watch.

In fact, I am still unsettled by Chris Hemsworth's controversial character, Billie Lee, who left me squirming in my seat. However, it was a brilliantly cast and acted role; a surprise to see such a beloved (and let's face it, attractive) actor, known for being a Marvel hero, transform into someone with very distasteful morals.

The only thing that I predicted during the film, was Dakota Johnson's hardcore character's choice of Red in a game of roulette. It simply felt like a nod towards her Fifty Shades of Grey role - just me? Every other move, every line, action, plot twist and outcome were completely unpredictable, making the events that played out on screen a minefield of possibilities.

I don't think anything could have prepared me for the total bizarreness enthralled in this incredible film.

I would seriously recommend watching it without viewing the trailer. I know. To some that may sound crazy. The whole point in trailers is to convince you to watch the film. But trailers can really give things away, and this film relies strongly on the element of surprise.

To watch this movie (DVD release on February 4th - see link below) with no prior knowledge of the footage is to experience truly intense screenwriting.

Jeff Bridges and Cynthia Erivo as Father Daniel Flynn and Darlene Sweet

Shock factor is the main element of the story. It successfully continues to build suspense and suspicion, making you writhe in your seat and think: 'What the bloody hell is going on?'

My advice here, is to be patient. The plot that unfolds is slightly confusing, with cryptic insights into the horrors of the hotel, the lingering questions will have you flabbergasted.

You will be left questioning absolutely everything that happens, and I'm sorry to say but resolution is not quite what you get with this film. I feel like everyone that see's it might have a different interpretation of the meaning behind it.

To be fully satisfied with how much sense the film makes by the end, (which will have you just as shocked as the beginning) you have to come to terms with your own personal sense of it.

I am desperate to watch it again, which is why I have pre-ordered the DVD from Amazon Prime, with as much apprehension as I felt watching it the for the first time. I just hope that it is as good the second time around and that the shock factor is not lost due to my knowledge of what happens next.

I wanted to watch it again instantly, and was disappointed that it did not seem to be screened elsewhere for very long. A surprise in fact, with the fame of the full cast, that it was not more widely heard of.

Dakota Johnson as Emily Summerspring

It deserves to be.

The casting and production go above and beyond to portray the darkest, most intense and complex movie I've seen in a long time - even if it's not quite your cup of tea, I'd still recommend it for the sheer brilliance of the writing.

Sit down, take a deep breath, and watch the hell out of this film.

And don't go retreating from your troubled lives to weird old hotels full of secrets, deception, and Chris Hemsworth.