Bad Times at the El Royale

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Ralph C May 14, 2021 Pacing was a bit irregular - lagged a third to halfway into it. Strong performances all around. Nostalgic (attention to detail is amazing) yet still felt fresh. Not for everyone - you know who you are. See more Olena L @RT46422416 Sep 19, 2026 Cinematic, intriguing and unpredictable. Beautiful shots and a great storytelling structure, with deep and relatable characters (almost all of them). Highly recommend! See more Allan C @RT15713161 Aug 24, 2026 A Stylish Neo-Noir That Needed an Editor Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) *** A stylish neo-noir mystery set in a gorgeous mid-century motel, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE has a terrific cast, plenty of twists, and perhaps the coolest retro set this side of FALLOUT. Unfortunately, at two and a half hours, it’s way too long, with several character chapters dragging the film down. There’s a great movie buried in here, but it desperately needed an editor. SEE LETTERBOXED FOR FULL REVIEW See more Chris S @Janomi Jun 19, 2026 Bad Times at the El Royale is a fantastic example of creative, character-driven storytelling. Writer-director Drew Goddard crafts a layered mystery where every guest arrives with secrets, hidden motivations, and a past waiting to be uncovered. The nonlinear structure constantly changes how the audience views each character, making the reveals feel earned and satisfying. The ensemble cast is outstanding. Jeff Bridges brings depth and vulnerability to a complicated character. Chris Hemsworth nearly steals the movie by playing against type as Billy Lee, a charismatic but dangerous figure completely different from the heroic roles audiences often associate with him. The El Royale itself feels like another character. The 1960s setting, cinematography, soundtrack, and production design create a stylish world filled with paranoia and tension. The slower pace may not work for everyone, but the writing, performances, atmosphere, and originality make it an underrated thriller. See more MC R @RT91491190 Jun 9, 2026 A fun and really mysterious movie. Random guys hanging out in Some sort of p* hotel. This movie has a great cast and to be honest this is really weird but cool movie. See more Jason M @Nautius May 1, 2026 Great movie!! Not sure why it's only got a 75% user review. Jeff Bridges was amazing. See more Read all reviews

Bad Times at the El Royale

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