Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jodie Foster | ... | The Nurse | |
Sterling K. Brown | ... | Waikiki | |
Sofia Boutella | ... | Nice | |
Jeff Goldblum | ... | Niagara | |
Brian Tyree Henry | ... | Honolulu | |
Jenny Slate | ... | Morgan | |
Zachary Quinto | ... | Crosby Franklin | |
Charlie Day | ... | Acapulco | |
Dave Bautista | ... | Everest | |
Kenneth Choi | ... | Buke | |
Father John Misty | ... | P-22 (as Josh Tillman) | |
Evan Jones | ... | Trojan Nash | |
Nathan Davis Jr. | ... | Rocco | |
Ramses Jimenez | ... | Tariq | |
Angela Sprinkle | ... | Union Califia Hologram |
On June 21, 2028, a riot breaks out in Los Angeles over the affordability and availability of water after it is privatized. Taking advantage of the distraction, a four-man crew of brothers Sherman and Lev and miscreants Buke and P-22 rob a bank. Unable to break into the vault, they steal from hostages at the bank, realizing that they were mainly staff of the wealthy sent to deposit valuables into the vault. Lev takes a male hostage's fancy pen despite being warned by the man not to. During their escape, an encounter with the police leaves P-22 dead and Buke and Lev critically wounded. They make their way to the nearby Hotel Artemis, a hotel/hospital that only treats criminals, run by Jean "the Nurse" Thomas. The Hotel only treats members who are paid-up in advance, so Sherman and Lev are allowed in while Buke as a non-member is kicked out by Everest, the Nurse's assistant. At the Hotel are two other guests. Code names for all guests are assigned based on the suite they are occupying. ...
It's 2028 L.A. Waikiki (Sterling K. Brown) leads a robbery gang during a city-wide revolt against privatized water. His brother is shot during the escape and he seeks refuge at Hotel Artemis. It is a secured private hospital for criminal members run by a hard-nosed nurse (Jodie Foster). Everest (Dave Bautista) is her giant muscle. She risks everything by saving policewoman Morgan (Jenny Slate). Other patients include loud-mouth arrogant Acapulco (Charlie Day) and assassin Nice (Sofia Boutella) on a secret mission. Waikiki discovers that his brother had stolen jewels from crime boss Wolf King (Jeff Goldblum) who shows up looking for treatment.
I really like the concept but there are issues with the execution. It's a movie of outrageous potential. With a few questionable logistics, my biggest problem is that I don't feel connected with Sterling K. Brown's character. Jodie Foster is doing her hardest. Despite some fun ideas, it doesn't really rise to its possibilities. It's not crazy enough. It's not compelling enough. It is good enough to be watchable.