This is my favorite genre - a group of strangers get stuck in a claustrophobic setting (not necessarily physically, but certainly psychologically), getting killed one after another. The iconic classic is Agatha Christie's "And then there were none". To fully enjoy "El Royale", however, the thing to remember is that it is not a whodunnit or even a suspense thriller with convoluted twists.
"El Royale" spins several back stories, all through flashbacks at different junctures of the movie. Among these, there are two main plotlines, both quite familiar. One involves loots from a robbery, hidden in a room at the title resort motel. The other is a reel of film showing a certain unsuspecting celebrity, secretly shot through a one-way-mirror. These two unrelated plotlines, together with a couple of others, get entangled through seven protagonists. Before going to them, the star first.
The El Royale appears to be a high society resort, but looks run down and deserted by the time we get to our story, in 1970. The unique thing is a red line running from the entrance to the registration counter, in effect dividing the motel into two halves. This is the states border between California and Nevada. Rooms at the California side cost a little bit more. As mentioned, the mirrors in each room are transparent one way, allowing the owner to see and hear everything inside the room. Well, ALMOST everything, and this is important.
Now to the players, and those who play them, in the order they are listed in IMDb.
Jeff Bridges, who needs no introduction, is Father Flynn, who is in fact not a priest. First of the four hotel guests to appear, he is the key player in one of the plotlines.
Cynthia Erivo, English born and educated, and a Tony winner, plays casino singer Darlene, which allows her to showcase her voice and vocal talent. This is the only character that is entirely "clean".
Dakoda Johnson, with "Fifty shades" fame, plays Emily, a femme fatale type motel guest. "Don't mess with me" is written all over her face.
Jon Hamm, who in "Baby Driver" (2017) makes you break out in a cold sweat every time he speaks, plays Sullivan. Presenting himself as a travelling salesman, he is an undercover cop investigating a case.
Chris Hemsworth, better known as Thor, plays Billy Lee. Don't be deceived by the ordinary name or the appealing face and physique. This is the devil incarnate. He appears in a brief flashback in the middle of the movie, then finally shows up near the end.
Cailee Spaeny, who in "Vice" (2018) plays the teen version of Lynne Cheney (played by Amy Adams who is holding an Oscar nomination for that movie), is Rose, little sister of Emily. She is not a hotel guest, but a kidnap victim of her own sister.
Completing the ensemble cast is Lewis Pullman, who had a brief appearance in "Battle of the sexes" (2017), playing Miles the motel operator, with his own dark past.
As mentioned, this is not a suspense thriller although it feels a little bit like one. That is because facts are revealed very gradually throughout the movie, through flashbacks. The script is not remarkably clever but things fit together without too many flaws. Throughout the movie, people knock people down, people tie people up, people shoot people dead, or not dead. At the end, there is really only one question unanswered - who is the person in the reel of film. While the answer is not particularly important for the enjoyment of this movie, some critics do try suggestions, the most obvious one being a member of a prominent political family with a base in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod.
"El Royale" spins several back stories, all through flashbacks at different junctures of the movie. Among these, there are two main plotlines, both quite familiar. One involves loots from a robbery, hidden in a room at the title resort motel. The other is a reel of film showing a certain unsuspecting celebrity, secretly shot through a one-way-mirror. These two unrelated plotlines, together with a couple of others, get entangled through seven protagonists. Before going to them, the star first.
The El Royale appears to be a high society resort, but looks run down and deserted by the time we get to our story, in 1970. The unique thing is a red line running from the entrance to the registration counter, in effect dividing the motel into two halves. This is the states border between California and Nevada. Rooms at the California side cost a little bit more. As mentioned, the mirrors in each room are transparent one way, allowing the owner to see and hear everything inside the room. Well, ALMOST everything, and this is important.
Now to the players, and those who play them, in the order they are listed in IMDb.
Jeff Bridges, who needs no introduction, is Father Flynn, who is in fact not a priest. First of the four hotel guests to appear, he is the key player in one of the plotlines.
Cynthia Erivo, English born and educated, and a Tony winner, plays casino singer Darlene, which allows her to showcase her voice and vocal talent. This is the only character that is entirely "clean".
Dakoda Johnson, with "Fifty shades" fame, plays Emily, a femme fatale type motel guest. "Don't mess with me" is written all over her face.
Jon Hamm, who in "Baby Driver" (2017) makes you break out in a cold sweat every time he speaks, plays Sullivan. Presenting himself as a travelling salesman, he is an undercover cop investigating a case.
Chris Hemsworth, better known as Thor, plays Billy Lee. Don't be deceived by the ordinary name or the appealing face and physique. This is the devil incarnate. He appears in a brief flashback in the middle of the movie, then finally shows up near the end.
Cailee Spaeny, who in "Vice" (2018) plays the teen version of Lynne Cheney (played by Amy Adams who is holding an Oscar nomination for that movie), is Rose, little sister of Emily. She is not a hotel guest, but a kidnap victim of her own sister.
Completing the ensemble cast is Lewis Pullman, who had a brief appearance in "Battle of the sexes" (2017), playing Miles the motel operator, with his own dark past.
As mentioned, this is not a suspense thriller although it feels a little bit like one. That is because facts are revealed very gradually throughout the movie, through flashbacks. The script is not remarkably clever but things fit together without too many flaws. Throughout the movie, people knock people down, people tie people up, people shoot people dead, or not dead. At the end, there is really only one question unanswered - who is the person in the reel of film. While the answer is not particularly important for the enjoyment of this movie, some critics do try suggestions, the most obvious one being a member of a prominent political family with a base in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod.