Review of Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) by Alan W — 25 Oct 2018

I've enjoyed many of writer-director Drew Goddard's work, both on the big and small screens (from The Martian and The Cabin in the Woods to Lost, Daredevil and The Good Place) so my expectations are elevated.

That is before we even get to the potential that this strong ensemble cast promises, with a gravitas bringing Jeff Bridges; Broadway singing sensation Cynthia Erivo; a fast talking Jon Hamm; and a Manson-esque Chris Hemsworth with his barechested creepiness.

Set over one night at the El Royale hotel that straddles Nevada and California (not quite sure if this is an allegorical thing or not), strangers arrive inevitably with their respective baggage, metaphorically speaking of course, that will cross and criss-cross each other in complicated and often deadly ways.

The question is whether they all fit together without too much contrivances - and in a trashy noirish sorta way, it just about does; though there is so much story to get through, the film jumps around a lot to accommodate them and it could have taken a less is more approach to retain some mystery and intrigue, especially in the finale - and no doubt shave off some of that hefty 140mins running time.

While performances are strong all round, in particular, Bridges and Erivo; it is newcomer Lewis Pullman whose supporting turn as hotel manager/bellboy Miles Miller which surprisingly stands out more for me.

Goddard's film has a certain sub-Tarantino-esque flare to it, and it is stylish and well executed, though a little derivative and could do with a more judicious edit during the scripting stage (if alternatively, expanded into a limited series for TV).