Review: Bad Times at the El Royale

Bad Times at the El Royale has been reviewed as a fantastic UHD 4K edition.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012) innovatively subverted the well-worn horror trope of young people encountering a terrifying experience in an isolated cabin. Its cleverness and originality set a high bar. Consequently, Bad Times at the El Royale arrived with considerable anticipation. Could it replicate that success?

The California-Nevada state line bisects the now-decrepit El Royale hotel, maintained solely by the eccentric Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), its sole employee. One day, four disparate guests arrive: Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a priest; Laramie Seymore Sullivan (John Hamm), a salesman; Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), a singer; and Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson), a mysterious woman. As their true identities and hidden agendas surface, events at the El Royale take a decidedly sinister turn.

Bad Times at the El Royale is a film that elicits conflicting reactions. At times, it feels like a genuinely compelling work; at others, it feels unnecessarily prolonged. The film suffers from two key issues. First, Drew Goddard’s distinct and personal style, so evident in The Cabin in the Woods, is largely absent. Instead, the film heavily emulates Quentin Tarantino’s storytelling approach, employing chapter divisions, non-chronological narratives, and perspectives shifting between characters – techniques characteristic of Tarantino’s filmmaking. Second, at 2 hours and 21 minutes, Bad Times at the El Royal feels overextended. A reduction of approximately twenty minutes would have enhanced the pacing and prevented stagnation in certain segments. However, the film boasts impressive cinematography, meticulously crafted environments, and a convincing period aesthetic.

John Hamm delivers a masterful performance as the salesman harboring a secret. He is a consistently reliable actor, demonstrating his talent even in less distinguished projects. Jeff Bridges, portraying the priest with a concealed past, is characteristically excellent, arguably providing the film’s strongest element. Bridges’ interpretation elevates the overall quality of the film.

Dakota Johnson’s performance is adequate, but lacks a certain spark; her character feels somewhat underdeveloped. Elaborating further would necessitate significant spoilers. Cynthia Erivo effectively portrays Darlene Sweet, although the character’s spontaneous musical outbursts, initially charming, become slightly repetitive.

Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman) presents an interesting character, but Goddard’s narrative arc falters, culminating in a somewhat ambiguous religious conclusion.

Chris Hemsworth, who appeared in The Cabin in the Woods prior to achieving widespread fame, returns in Bad Times at the El Royale as a ruthless psychopath. While it’s intriguing to witness Hemsworth in a non-heroic role, the character lacks a certain menace, falling short of the intended level of intimidation.

In conclusion, Bad Times at the El Royale is not a poor film. The initial half demonstrates flashes of Goddard’s ingenuity from The Cabin in the Woods. However, the latter half suffers from a stylistic shift, becoming a derivative of Tarantino’s work, which has been executed more effectively elsewhere. Ultimately, the film receives a passing grade, but falls short of true excellence.