1,047 reviews
Just watched this for the first time after stumbling across it on demand. Figured I would give it a chance, since I loved Cabin in the Woods and Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors. I'm no film major or snooty critic, just a guy that enjoys movies. It is definitely a film that pays homage to QT, Coen Bros, etc, but I don't think it is trying to be one of their films as others have said. I'm impressed when a director can pull off an interesting story that takes place in a small setting, such as Hateful Eight, Cloverfield Lane, Devil, Insomnia etc. At nearly 2.5 hours, I didn't feel like the movie was too long, and there were several twists to keep it interesting. I believe all good artists are influenced by their predecessors, but they also put their own spin on it. I think if you are a fan of the above directors, you will enjoy the movie. Just don't try and hold it to QT standards.
- zhammons-21058
- Feb 28, 2020
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- JoeytheBrit
- Jul 2, 2020
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It is a surprising , perfect puzzle. All is familiar. And you feel that more than you know. The build up is incredible, the mix of western, policier, horror and adventure, war and Tarantino, conspiracy theory, few drops of Scorsese and few crumbs of romance are almost incredible. A film admirable crafted. And that - from impecable story to the acting are ingredients defining it as real special.
- Kirpianuscus
- Sep 14, 2019
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I really wanted to like this movie. For about the first hour, I really did, but by about the two-hour mark I was ready for the film to end, and by the time the credits rolled I found myself walking from the theater slightly disappointed. "Bad Times at the El Royale" was written and directed by Drew Goddard ("Cabin in the Woods"), a man whose work I've been largely split on, but whenever he hits the nail on the head, his stuff really works for me. This film started off great; there were lots of great twists and turns, memorable and diverse characters, and a mysterious premise. But as the film rolled on, and the character's secrets were unveiled, I found myself growing disenfranchised with the film. Goddard continuously hints at darker things happening, but he never really delivered what he promises. The movie felt like it was trying to emulate the overlapping storylines of "Pulp Fiction", and even some of the dialogue felt like it was Tarantino-esque, but Goddard never quite reaches the level of snappiness Tarantino infuses into his films. Goddard's writing seems uneven; some of the lengthy dialogue scenes are great, while others are dull, borderline boring.
- truemythmedia
- Jun 17, 2019
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I didn't expect much from this movie when i started it but it was very interesting and good. The story is pretty interesting and the build up is also perfect. It keeps you waiting shrouding you with mystery. The cast is perfect. Personally i thought Jeff bridge's performance was perfect. The other cast also give a solid performance. All in all the movie is very enjoyable and i definitely recommend it
- abenezerberhanu
- Dec 23, 2018
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...from 20th Century Fox and writer-director Drew Goddard. Circa 1972, various characters, including a doddering priest (Jeff Bridges), a struggling singer (Cynthia Erivo), a traveling salesman (Jon Hamm), and an anti-social mystery woman (Dakota Johnson), converge on the title locale, a former hot spot that straddles the California/Nevada border that has started to go to seed. Each person has their own reasons for being there, and most are not what they profess. Their secrets are revealed over one long, stormy, bloody night.
Goddard was responsible for the excellent horror genre send-up The Cabin in the Woods back in 2011, and this is his long-awaited follow-up. It's nowhere near as good, in my opinion, but fans of crime thrillers going in with diminished expectations will find a watch worthwhile. Bridges is very good, as is Cynthia Erivo, who I wasn't familiar with but who, at the time of release, garnered a lot of awards buzz for her performance here. I also liked Lewis (son of Bill) Pullman as the hotel's struggling sole employee in attendance.
The movie starts to fall flat in the last stretch, when Chris Hemsworth, as a Manson-esque cult leader, shows up and the film's former momentum grinds to a screeching halt. I don't dislike Hemsworth normally, but he's all sculpted abs and chiseled looks, and his character needed a bit more than that to make the last act compelling.
Goddard was responsible for the excellent horror genre send-up The Cabin in the Woods back in 2011, and this is his long-awaited follow-up. It's nowhere near as good, in my opinion, but fans of crime thrillers going in with diminished expectations will find a watch worthwhile. Bridges is very good, as is Cynthia Erivo, who I wasn't familiar with but who, at the time of release, garnered a lot of awards buzz for her performance here. I also liked Lewis (son of Bill) Pullman as the hotel's struggling sole employee in attendance.
The movie starts to fall flat in the last stretch, when Chris Hemsworth, as a Manson-esque cult leader, shows up and the film's former momentum grinds to a screeching halt. I don't dislike Hemsworth normally, but he's all sculpted abs and chiseled looks, and his character needed a bit more than that to make the last act compelling.
- classicsoncall
- Mar 9, 2019
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- brendanm-74465
- Jun 24, 2019
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For the most part this is a really good, if not excellent film, with a fantastic central performance from Jeff Bridges, ably supported with an equally compelling performance from Londoner Cynthia Erivo who I recently saw in Stephen King's The Outside TV series. beautifully shot and confidently and surely constructed to have us spellbound but not fully aware of just what is going on. Is it the hotel that is weird or just the people? Jon Hamm is great in the early stages and looked a bit like a young Robert de Niro. Things really only go wrong, for me, in the last half hour. The film is certainly some fifteen minutes too long and there is simply too much time allowed for Chris Hemsworth to unconvincingly develop his character and similarly with Lewis Pullman who had been great as the hapless bellboy cum hotel manager but with whom we spend a little too long in the end. Disappointing end or not this is well worth a watch and always going to be worth it for a late great showing from Jeff Bridges, and those 60s songs where even just a line or two can be surprisingly effective, indeed it is 'strange how potent cheap music is.'
- christopher-underwood
- Nov 7, 2020
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Good: The time period 1969 provides a great stylistic approach to a hotel that has property on both California and Nevada, which adds to the idea of having a good side and a bad side and the hotel also creates a sense of entrapment. The cinematography is great as it makes slow pans to unveil the secrets of the characters and the El Royale. The hotel, costume design, and soundtrack help create a nostalgic setting. The directing and editing are also well done when incorporating sound/music to scenes especially when Cynthia Ervio sings. Erivo's musical performance is filled with heart and soul and helps develop the character and conveys her emotions. Other standouts are Jeff Bridges and Chris Hemsworth. Hemsworth just has a charming presence and provides the slight dark tone of his character. Bridges plays his character well as he connects with Erivo and tries to execute his actions. However, the rest of the cast have trouble making their appearance known...
Bad: At a whopping 2h 20m runtime, the film is a slow burn where it takes a painstakingly long time to make it to the end and even the finale becomes a disappointment. At times it tries to be funny, but the humor is not a standout in this film. There is a lack of emotional pull to the characters which is evident in the finale where the characters are still not fully developed. The concept was there, but the creativity lacked, which ended up in poor execution.
Overall: Style over substance. I wanted to like this movie for the trailer was great with its editing, soundtrack, and cast, but does not live up to Drew Godard's directing predecessor "The Cabin in the Woods," or have the writing creativity from "The Martian." The film reminded me a lot of Quentin Tarantino films as it was divided into chapters and had the same style with flashback stories to gain background, however, I would rather watch "Hateful Eight," or any of Tarantino films that have excellent dialogue and action.
2.9/5 (Not fresh)
Bad: At a whopping 2h 20m runtime, the film is a slow burn where it takes a painstakingly long time to make it to the end and even the finale becomes a disappointment. At times it tries to be funny, but the humor is not a standout in this film. There is a lack of emotional pull to the characters which is evident in the finale where the characters are still not fully developed. The concept was there, but the creativity lacked, which ended up in poor execution.
Overall: Style over substance. I wanted to like this movie for the trailer was great with its editing, soundtrack, and cast, but does not live up to Drew Godard's directing predecessor "The Cabin in the Woods," or have the writing creativity from "The Martian." The film reminded me a lot of Quentin Tarantino films as it was divided into chapters and had the same style with flashback stories to gain background, however, I would rather watch "Hateful Eight," or any of Tarantino films that have excellent dialogue and action.
2.9/5 (Not fresh)
- Yee_Reviews
- Sep 30, 2018
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- Leofwine_draca
- Jan 25, 2020
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Hotel with some dark past, 7 strangers with different stories, different goals. Sounds like promising project.
But, I am not satisfied. Everything interesting happened in first 20 minutes of movie where you discover all that matters. After that, when you think plot will make some great turn, when you are expecting something unexpectable, nothing happen. I was especially dissapointed with the end.
Movie is not that bad, I gave it a solid mark, but since I had very big expectations I am a little bit dissapointed with that what I saw. I think that this kind of movie has much better potential that this movie didn't produce or just too less.
- allen03-25-757124
- Oct 17, 2018
- Permalink
A pretty solid crime thriller with loads of retro cool, a well-stocked cast and gorgeous cinematography - and a glut of extraneous flashbacks. If Bad Times at the El Royale has a weakness, it's pacing. It's not a problem during the opening act, as the hotel's emptiness (as well as who the hell are these people?) offers ample intrigue. Plus, there are the sets, I mean this looks incredible. But eventually night falls, backstories start piling up and ... it's enough already.
I have the same problem with El Royale that I did with The Hateful Eight; lots of talent and craft put into the film overall, but it's never again as good as its opening.
And absurdly long-winded.
I have the same problem with El Royale that I did with The Hateful Eight; lots of talent and craft put into the film overall, but it's never again as good as its opening.
And absurdly long-winded.
It's 1969 Lake Tahoe on the border between California and Nevada. El Royale is an empty destination motorlodge with its best days well behind it. Four strangers check in with the hotel's only employee Miles Miller. Catholic priest Daniel Flynn, singer Darlene Sweet, salesman Laramie Seymour Sullivan, and Emily Summerspring arrive with some hiding secrets.
This is a stylish pulpy noir action thriller from Drew Goddard. I do like most of it but there is a little too much of it. I'm not sure if it needs the tape. There're like two MacGuffins. Concentrating on one MacGuffin usually works better. When Billy Lee shows up, it gets to be craziness overload. At that point, I want the characters to gather in one place and have a climatic conflict. I don't really want to insert another character. Drew obviously expects that more is better. It's a little too more.
This is a stylish pulpy noir action thriller from Drew Goddard. I do like most of it but there is a little too much of it. I'm not sure if it needs the tape. There're like two MacGuffins. Concentrating on one MacGuffin usually works better. When Billy Lee shows up, it gets to be craziness overload. At that point, I want the characters to gather in one place and have a climatic conflict. I don't really want to insert another character. Drew obviously expects that more is better. It's a little too more.
- SnoopyStyle
- Dec 25, 2018
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It baffles me that this movie did not get better reviews than it did. Bad Times at the El Royale, is incredible, as the story is intriguing and all the actors get your attention with Chris Hemsworth standing out at the end.
The action scenes are great, the cinematography and the soundtrack also stand out a lot. This is just a fun movie all the way through and to me personally, it is one of the best films of the year.
Go into this film knowing nothing. Part of me wishes I hadn't seen both trailers because even though they didn't reveal much of the films plot, I would've loved to have been surprised. Hemsworth gives his best performance yet. He is truly menacing. He is what a Negan should've been on the past couple of Walking Dead seasons. The music is great! Cinematography is great! The hotel set is great! The one downside is that the build up is a wee bit slow, but it definitely pays off when the action and mystery begins.
- chmuptacular
- Oct 1, 2018
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- Easygoer10
- Jun 8, 2019
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First off let me say, Bat Times at the El Royale is most certainly not for everyone. The way the story unfolds and how information is withheld/presented is quite complex. Although this may make it a bit too convoluted for some, it makes it an absolute treat for anyone willing to dig beneath the surface and get analytical. Not unlike Cabin in the Woods (Drew Goddard's directorial debut), Bad Times plays with your expectations. Goddard takes painstaking care to build tension throughout a scene, only to have it all upended by a sudden twist. For that reason, I anticipate the reaction to this film will be divided, as many moviegoers simply don't like surprises or being unsure of what will happen. However, if you are a fan of Goddard's previous work, it's a safe bet that you'll like this one. I also need to talk about the cast, as they deliver an absolute treasure of an ensemble performance. Each person plays their part incredibly well, but Cynthia Erivo and Chris Hemsworth are the definite stand outs. Hemsworth especially shines, showing us that he can do more than play a quippy Norse god. This movie has so much to unpack both visually and in terms of foreshadowing that I cannot wait to see it again. If you're looking for a smart, stylish, and generally thrilling way to spend a few hours, look no further than Bad Times at the El Royale.
Writer/director Drew Goddard's Bad Times at the El Royale is a long and entertaining sendup of Quentin Tarantino's crime world (think Hateful 8 and Pulp Fiction), post-Tarantino caper movies, and a bit of Hitchcock for suspense. It's the late 60's when eccentric characters converge on the seedy El Royale motel to recover cash from a heist 10 years ago hidden under the floorboards of a room.
By far the most interesting visitor is Father Daniel Flynn, aka Dock O'Kelly (Jeff Bridges), who set the heist in motion back then, did time for it, and returns to the half-closed motel to recover the loot. As symbol of a corrupt society that still clings to some semblance of religiosity, Flynn navigates the other crooks with caution.
Until the incarnation of the devil, or at least Charles Manson, arrives, Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), muscled and amoral but not loath to preach about a simple life for his devotees and seek the money for himself. With the motel's roaring fireplaces enfolding these untrustworthy survivors, Goddard must surely be thinking of hell on earth as earthlings grapple for lucre.
Surprises abound (be careful with that shotgun!), and not all the players make it out alive. Heck, even undercover cops are vulnerable. And women, watch out, for the bad girls are trigger happy. The exception is a lounge singer, Darlene Sweet (impressive Tony winner, Cynthia Erivo), who needs to hookup with the corrupt priest to escape this hell, but with loot.
The location is Lake Tahoe on the border of Nevada and California, a figurative crossroads for everyone, where the wrong step can take you to life or death. I'm beginning to sound like Twilight Zone's Rod Serling, and rightfully so because there's a claustrophobia to these surroundings, wherein the sins of mankind are scrutinized for their immorality, where redemption is rare, and a lesson can be learned.
As Father Flynn candidly comments, "I'm Old. S**t happens. Get the whiskey." That's Goddard's charmingly amoral world, where even a priest has issues.
By far the most interesting visitor is Father Daniel Flynn, aka Dock O'Kelly (Jeff Bridges), who set the heist in motion back then, did time for it, and returns to the half-closed motel to recover the loot. As symbol of a corrupt society that still clings to some semblance of religiosity, Flynn navigates the other crooks with caution.
Until the incarnation of the devil, or at least Charles Manson, arrives, Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), muscled and amoral but not loath to preach about a simple life for his devotees and seek the money for himself. With the motel's roaring fireplaces enfolding these untrustworthy survivors, Goddard must surely be thinking of hell on earth as earthlings grapple for lucre.
Surprises abound (be careful with that shotgun!), and not all the players make it out alive. Heck, even undercover cops are vulnerable. And women, watch out, for the bad girls are trigger happy. The exception is a lounge singer, Darlene Sweet (impressive Tony winner, Cynthia Erivo), who needs to hookup with the corrupt priest to escape this hell, but with loot.
The location is Lake Tahoe on the border of Nevada and California, a figurative crossroads for everyone, where the wrong step can take you to life or death. I'm beginning to sound like Twilight Zone's Rod Serling, and rightfully so because there's a claustrophobia to these surroundings, wherein the sins of mankind are scrutinized for their immorality, where redemption is rare, and a lesson can be learned.
As Father Flynn candidly comments, "I'm Old. S**t happens. Get the whiskey." That's Goddard's charmingly amoral world, where even a priest has issues.
- JohnDeSando
- Oct 11, 2018
- Permalink
The movie drags on. It has interesting characters but the movie is much longer than it needed to be, I was fairly happy to be walking out of the cinema
- logandenyer17
- Oct 13, 2018
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The film starts with a man moving all the items of a hotel room in one corner, he then removes the carpet n the floorboards, stashes a bag underneath n puts back all the things in place. After he has finished his mysterious work.....
Fast forward ten years n destiny brings together a group of people who all end up at this same hotel on a dark rainy night due to different circumstances.
Comparison to The Identity is present but please do not compare it to Tarantino style films jus cos it has a nonlinear approach.
Fellas who r comparing the nonlinear film style to Tarantino's films ain't aware of Jean-Luc Godard, the pioneer of nonlinear filmmaking.
Is it a coincidence that the surname of the director of this film too is Goddard.
Drew Goddard is in full Jean-Luc Godard-esque mood.
Attention is required as every person at the El Royale has a story n
the background story of all the characters were properly interwined.
Some of the scenes r way too slow n the editing needed some post production work.
Jus few days back i saw Chronicles of the Ghostly tribe n i wrote in its review that the flashbacks were confusing n not at all gripping but in El Royale the flashbacks were intriguing n not at all confusing.
The film is visually striking and offers a high level of ambience.
It has lots of eerie mood, good suspense, a great sense of dread throughout. The background story of one of the character which is shown towards the end is a bit shocking n well placed.
The owners of the hotel remained mystery but that is another story.....
- Fella_shibby
- Dec 22, 2018
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I am a big fan of Jon Hamm so this is what dragged me into this movie.
It has an old school feel about it with the language, decoration and overall theme. The acting was good too but some moments just didnt feel right. The movie feels stretched in the certain parts and makes the build up too boring. Personally, I felt like Hemsworth's performance was forced and his whole background wasn't developed enough.
Overall, feels like a poor man's Coen movie but still better than most of the films that came out this year.
It has an old school feel about it with the language, decoration and overall theme. The acting was good too but some moments just didnt feel right. The movie feels stretched in the certain parts and makes the build up too boring. Personally, I felt like Hemsworth's performance was forced and his whole background wasn't developed enough.
Overall, feels like a poor man's Coen movie but still better than most of the films that came out this year.
- arabnikita
- Oct 10, 2018
- Permalink