Bad Times at the El Royale - Drew Goddard Writes and Directs

[Greens]

Well, I loved it. Goddard's characters and sensibilities are always fun to watch for me, and I loved seeing Hemsworth in a role like this. The whole cast was great, but Cynthia Erivo especially was fantastic. Can't wait to see her in Widows. And I love that he didn't put in scenes that spelled out certain "secrets" for us with wordy exposition, and instead trusted the audience to connect those dots on their own.

Hemsworth had such a weird vibe to him I loved it. Especially the scene where

Spoiler

he's walking through the field with his minions

 

[Spider-Fan]

Well, I loved it. Goddard's characters and sensibilities are always fun to watch for me, and I loved seeing Hemsworth in a role like this. The whole cast was great, but Cynthia Erivo especially was fantastic. Can't wait to see her in Widows. And I love that he didn't put in scenes that spelled out certain "secrets" for us with wordy exposition, and instead trusted the audience to connect those dots on their own.

Agreed entirely. This movie had me hooked immediately. Disappointed this looks like it will be a flop in the end

 

[Vapor]

Glad to be hearing good things, am going to see it tomorrow.

 

[Web-Head]

Saw this earlier today and I loved it. A little slow at first and I did feel its length a bit but it was really good. Gets really intense towards the end and the characters were pretty much all solid

 

[Vapor]

The cast, directing and premise were good. It's a shame really, I feel like the last 15/20 mins let it down somewhat..

Spoiler

the first two acts with the set up and the intrigue of what's going on and what's going to happen is far better and more interesting.. i liked the way that it was set up and how it revealed things. It feels like an early Tarantino film.. Only better. (I'm not a fan)

Hemsworth was good in it but I feel like it would have being better to have it end in all out carnage with them turning on each other over the money rather than a "bad guy" coming in as the focus. Oh and it needed more Jon Hamm, he was great!

On the whole though I really enjoyed it and look forward to Goddards next directorial effort..

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Went to see this in a really tired and stressed out from work mood, and loved it, great characters, really good performances and a lot like Tarantino in his prime.

It did drag at times but soon picked up and the twists and turns of the characters kept things interesting in the main. Goddard is great he needs to do more movies, 8/10.

 

[Rjones1325]

Bad Times at the El Royale”. It’s a good time that lasts a long time, especially since my screening didn’t start on time. Seriously. The film was supposed to start at 7pm and wasn’t completely validated until about 8pm. And this was a public screening that people paid for. I couldn’t complain because this was an AMC A-list feature I purchased for the week and felt good about it.


FULL REVIEW: Bad Times at the El Royale Review: Fun Time Runs Long Time

 

[Elayis]

Just saw this the other day, and while it doesn't the same punch as Cabin it is still a very good movie. Goddard's certainly honed his craft over the years, it's just too bad so many of his projects never materialize.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Saw this last Wed.

I liked it, even enjoyed it but... There were aspects that felt needed just... More. More style, more characterization, definitely more explanation. Far from a bad film but hardly the truly engaging and fun ride I was expecting.

 

[elgaz]

I watched this last night and really enjoyed it. Can only echo what others have said - great cast and great performances (especially "Miles Miller") and it a very quirky and entertaining movie with some interesting timeline play and character misdirection. There was a sense of isolation in the film; the vast majority of it takes place within this motel which is seemingly deserted save for the main characters (guests and one staff member), and for a while I thought there may be some kind of supernatural angle/twist to it (like the hotel being a form of purgatory) ................... which never came. But enjoyed it nonetheless.

 

[Hunter Rider]

This was a really quirky and enjoyable film, it riffs of several things but remains it's own unique thriller that has an interesting set of characters playing off each other. I've never seen Cynthia Erivo before and wasa really impressed by her. Drew Goddard plays with the narrative structure in a good way that serves the film and doesn't become messy or feel gimmicky.

 

[flickchick85]

This was a really quirky and enjoyable film, it riffs of several things but remains it's own unique thriller that has an interesting set of characters playing off each other. I've never seen Cynthia Erivo before and wasa really impressed by her. Drew Goddard plays with the narrative structure in a good way that serves the film and doesn't become messy or feel gimmicky.

Cynthia Erivo's a Tony-winning stage actress who only made her jump to film this past year, so it's no surprise you've never seen her before. But after memorable turns in both this AND Widows, her very first two film roles, I think it's safe to say she'll be a force to be reckoned with on screen for sure. Talk about killer debut roles. She's already got a Grammy and a Tony, so she may well be a future EGOT-er, too.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

This is one of those movies that had so many wrists and turns, along with WTF moments, that I am really looking forward to seeing it again.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I like Goddard a lot, but this movie was a complete let down. There were no quality twist/turns, in fact it was played very straight forward and hyper-violent. We're introduced to a hotel that sits on two state lines and yet has minimal (if any) impact. Nearly the entire premise rests on Hemsworth's shoulders, who doesn't even really show up until the 3rd act and then the day gets saved by a guy with war PTSD that we weren't even previously aware of. By the way Hems was completely miscast.

It felt like there was an idea there that never really unfolded, as if in the middle of it Goddard thought to himself "Crap, I don't know where to go with this." When Jon Hamm died, so did this movie.

 

[Moridin]

Missed this when it was at my local cinema, & I still haven't gotten around to seeing it. Really want to.

 

[moviedoors]

I like Goddard a lot, but this movie was a complete let down. There were no quality twist/turns, in fact it was played very straight and hyper-violent. We're introduced to a hotel that sits on two state lines and yet has minimal (if any) impact. Nearly the entire premise rests on Hemsworth's shoulders, who doesn't even really show up until the 3rd act and then the day gets saved by a guy with war PTSD. By the way he was completely miscast.

It felt like there was an idea there that never really unfolded, as if in the middle of it Goddard thought to himself "Crap, I don't know where to go with this." When Jon Hamm died, so did this movie.

THANK YOU. I was just about to write a rant about how that casting was basically fatal to this movie. Hemsworth is so very , very wrong for that part. So POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING he's a cult leader. There was actually a number of cult characters in film in 2018. His is the worst. The crucial moment, the moment that is supposed to define his character, is when he is finally dressed down verbally by a woman who basically calls him out as a scared little boy. This same idea was also in MANDY, and in that movie, it's perfect. It doesn't even take dialogue to make the point, just a well timed laugh. And everything we know about this wannabe cult leader comes into perfect focus: he's a staggeringly insecure man-child, he's well past his prime, his music is cringe-inducing, and his dick is no where near as big as he thinks it is. Then look at Hemsworth, whose all panty-dropping pecs and abs and swagger, whose dance moves aren't naively embarrassing but actively sexy, whose hair falls in his face in just the right smoldering manner. This is an actor who exudes genuine charisma and machismo and it's all wrong for this part.

 

[moviedoors]

Cynthia Erivo's a Tony-winning stage actress who only made her jump to film this past year, so it's no surprise you've never seen her before. But after memorable turns in both this AND Widows, her very first two film roles, I think it's safe to say she'll be a force to be reckoned with on screen for sure. Talk about killer debut roles. She's already got a Grammy and a Tony, so she may well be a future EGOT-er, too.

After I saw WIDOWS, I hit google because I had to know who played Cynthia, and I was like "holy ****, that's the same person from BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE?"

This woman is going places real quick.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Cynthia Erivo's a Tony-winning stage actress who only made her jump to film this past year, so it's no surprise you've never seen her before. But after memorable turns in both this AND Widows, her very first two film roles, I think it's safe to say she'll be a force to be reckoned with on screen for sure. Talk about killer debut roles. She's already got a Grammy and a Tony, so she may well be a future EGOT-er, too.

Like Whoopi! I didn't realize she was so new, she's made the transition to the big screen effortlessly, I can definitely see her name popping up in some big projects over the next few years, both Oscar bait stuff and Blockbusters.

 

[CB Fan]

Hmm I found this film to be perfectly cast. Just realized it’s out on blu Ray need to pick it up.

 

[elgaz]

I like Goddard a lot, but this movie was a complete let down. There were no quality twist/turns, in fact it was played very straight forward and hyper-violent. We're introduced to a hotel that sits on two state lines and yet has minimal (if any) impact. Nearly the entire premise rests on Hemsworth's shoulders, who doesn't even really show up until the 3rd act and then the day gets saved by a guy with war PTSD that we weren't even previously aware of. By the way Hems was completely miscast.

It felt like there was an idea there that never really unfolded, as if in the middle of it Goddard thought to himself "Crap, I don't know where to go with this." When Jon Hamm died, so did this movie.

I feel like the film addressed most of the things you mentioned above, maybe not directly but certainly in deep layers woven throughout the plot.

The state lines - and the hotel which straddles them - are a metaphor for one of the main themes in the film : duality. The hotel itself has a duality to it's nature; it is literally built over two different states so is subject to laws and regulations of each in their respective zones within the hotel. This duality extends out from the hotel to the characters - one is a robber pretending to be a priest, another a charismatic and seemingly enlightened cult leader who's really just another violent and manipulative antagonist, a seemingly mild-mannered hotel staff member who's actually an experienced Vietnam sniper, a salesman who's actually an FBI agent, etc. Even the seemingly straight-up Darlene is presenting herself as a more polished version than what she is - which we see when she removes her wig.

There's numerous other references - the roulette (red/black), Billy Lee's speech about right and wrong, Father Flynn changing from black clothes to white at the end of the film, time changes back and forth, and more. Essentially the whole film is approaching the angle of not knowing exactly what is what, not until the very end.

Can't say I agree about Hemsworth casting either. Cult leaders have generally not been quiet and ugly types; they're attractive, charismatic, charming and persuasive people who find it easy to make vulnerable and malleable victims not only trust them, but completely believe in everything they preach. Hemsworth ticks all these boxes in this film and it's only at the end when he starts to lose his temper, his control and reveal his true nature that we see who he really is.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I feel like the film addressed most of the things you mentioned above, maybe not directly but certainly in deep layers woven throughout the plot.

The state lines - and the hotel which straddles them - are a metaphor for one of the main themes in the film : duality. The hotel itself has a duality to it's nature; it is literally built over two different states so is subject to laws and regulations of each in their respective zones within the hotel. This duality extends out from the hotel to the characters - one is a robber pretending to be a priest, another a charismatic and seemingly enlightened cult leader who's really just another violent and manipulative antagonist, a seemingly mild-mannered hotel staff member who's actually an experienced Vietnam sniper, a salesman who's actually an FBI agent, etc. Even the seemingly straight-up Darlene is presenting herself as a more polished version than what she is - which we see when she removes her wig.

There's numerous other references - the roulette (red/black), Billy Lee's speech about right and wrong, Father Flynn changing from black clothes to white at the end of the film, time changes back and forth, and more. Essentially the whole film is approaching the angle of not knowing exactly what is what, not until the very end.

Can't say I agree about Hemsworth casting either. Cult leaders have generally not been quiet and ugly types; they're attractive, charismatic, charming and persuasive people who find it easy to make vulnerable and malleable victims not only trust them, but completely believe in everything they preach. Hemsworth ticks all these boxes in this film and it's only at the end when he starts to lose his temper, his control and reveal his true nature that we see who he really is.

I got the duality theme, but it wasn't all that subtle or nuanced. It was very surface level and not to mention a 2.5 hours of it.

Once I saw that red line drawn down the middle of the Hotel grounds, I thought there would be a much bigger impact on the film since they went out of their way to declare it. In reality all it led to was the roulette wheel. Hems performance is primarily what is required to sell the third act, since he's basically not in the rest of the movie, I'm still not exactly sure why he took the whole hotel hostage btw as he was there for the little girl.

All I know is to me, it wasn't even an eccentric portrayal it was just odd and his whole speech at their bonfire wasn't even remotely compelling. I would have expected the movie to try to sway me towards his perspective since after all he's supposed to be a brainwashing cult leader.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I feel like the film addressed most of the things you mentioned above, maybe not directly but certainly in deep layers woven throughout the plot.

The state lines - and the hotel which straddles them - are a metaphor for one of the main themes in the film : duality. The hotel itself has a duality to it's nature; it is literally built over two different states so is subject to laws and regulations of each in their respective zones within the hotel. This duality extends out from the hotel to the characters - one is a robber pretending to be a priest, another a charismatic and seemingly enlightened cult leader who's really just another violent and manipulative antagonist, a seemingly mild-mannered hotel staff member who's actually an experienced Vietnam sniper, a salesman who's actually an FBI agent, etc. Even the seemingly straight-up Darlene is presenting herself as a more polished version than what she is - which we see when she removes her wig.

There's numerous other references - the roulette (red/black), Billy Lee's speech about right and wrong, Father Flynn changing from black clothes to white at the end of the film, time changes back and forth, and more. Essentially the whole film is approaching the angle of not knowing exactly what is what, not until the very end.

Can't say I agree about Hemsworth casting either. Cult leaders have generally not been quiet and ugly types; they're attractive, charismatic, charming and persuasive people who find it easy to make vulnerable and malleable victims not only trust them, but completely believe in everything they preach. Hemsworth ticks all these boxes in this film and it's only at the end when he starts to lose his temper, his control and reveal his true nature that we see who he really is.

This, great summation of the themes of the movie.

 

[DocHolliday]

THANK YOU. I was just about to write a rant about how that casting was basically fatal to this movie. Hemsworth is so very , very wrong for that part. So POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING he's a cult leader. There was actually a number of cult characters in film in 2018. His is the worst. The crucial moment, the moment that is supposed to define his character, is when he is finally dressed down verbally by a woman who basically calls him out as a scared little boy. This same idea was also in MANDY, and in that movie, it's perfect. It doesn't even take dialogue to make the point, just a well timed laugh. And everything we know about this wannabe cult leader comes into perfect focus: he's a staggeringly insecure man-child, he's well past his prime, his music is cringe-inducing, and his dick is no where near as big as he thinks it is. Then look at Hemsworth, whose all panty-dropping pecs and abs and swagger, whose dance moves aren't naively embarrassing but actively sexy, whose hair falls in his face in just the right smoldering manner. This is an actor who exudes genuine charisma and machismo and it's all wrong for this part.

While I agree about Hemsworth being miscast for the part, I disagree with your reasons. Most cult leaders are incredibly charismatic - people like Manson And Jim Jones didn't attain a large following because they had the personality of a wet mop. They're master manipulators that know how to charm and speak to people, to pretend like they have all the answers. They intentionally target the desperate and weak willed.

Hemsworth was miscast because he's nothing but a buff dude with abs. A dull charisma vacuum in his best roles, an outright bad actor in his worst ones. He painfully stood out here acting opposite actual good actors.

 

[moviedoors]

While I agree about Hemsworth being miscast for the part, I disagree with your reasons. Most cult leaders are incredibly charismatic - people like Manson And Jim Jones didn't attain a large following because they had the personality of a wet mop. They're master manipulators that know how to charm and speak to people, to pretend like they have all the answers. They intentionally target the desperate and weak willed.

Hemsworth was miscast because he's nothing but a buff dude with abs. A dull charisma vacuum in his best roles, an outright bad actor in his worst ones. He painfully stood out here acting opposite actual good actors.

I see what you're saying, but I'd argue Jeremiah Sand is charismatic to a certain type of person (just like Manson and Jones, and it's worth point out that many of the dead in the Jonestown massacre did not go willingly), and even momentarily to others. The key is there's a balance between the authoritative, alpha dog side and the side that's really masking a screamingly insecure narcissist. Hemsworth nails the alpha side. I believe hot young women (and men) would beat the crap out of each other to gain his favor. But he doesn't make me believe that that's all really a mask for the frightened little boy or whatever. The crucial turn with the character is simply outside of Hemsworth's wheelhouse.

And for the record, I don't intend to demean Hemsworth. I happen to think he's very effective in the right roles, this was just the wrong role.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Finally watched this. I'll elaborate later, but I liked it. It could have been better but this was an enjoyable time. My only real quibble is holding off on Pullman's backstory until the end. It just felt like a delay of information to extend mystery. It could have been revealed earlier that he was a killer and then at the very end we see exactly how he was.