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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Seven strangers, each with a past to bury, meet at the dilapidated El Royale, a hotel at Lake Tahoe on the border between California and Nevada. Over the course of one night, each of them will have one last chance to redeem themselves before everything goes to ruin.
I don't understand how you can go from "Bad Times at El Royale" to "7 Strangers at El Royale", given that some characters know each other, something typical of senseless Italian translations.
Aside from this, the film is fascinating and ambitious, but it does not promise all that it delivers, because it tackles many themes, putting a lot of irons in the fire, but not delving into certain things properly. Some characters, like those of Dakota Johnson and Jon Hamm for example, have been sacrificed, probably due to time constraints, given that the runtime is about two hours and twenty minutes. But the film is indeed entertaining, it doesn't lack rhythm, director Drew Goddard knows his craft, an experienced screenwriter for both cinema and TV, he also directed that gem of a horror-comedy "The Cabin in the Woods". I see "Bad Times at El Royale" as a homage to pulp cinema, or "Tarantino-style," a good exercise in style, missing that little extra to make it cult, it's original but not too much, there are jolts but not enough (according to my standards). Goddard's direction is excellent nonetheless, able to oscillate between events and flashes, the '60s atmosphere is very good and the interaction between the priest and the singer character is spot-on.
The cast is fluctuating: Jeff Bridges is excellent as always, Cynthia Erivo, Lewis Pullman, and Jon Hamm are good. Dakota Johnson is bad (but in her partial defense, it must be said that her character is not well-written) and Chris Hemsworth, who starts to fool around, doesn't realize he can't afford to, because fundamentally he's mediocre, apart from "Thor" (personally those identical comic book movies say nothing to me) and maybe "Rush," does anyone remember a noteworthy performance?
Ultimately, "Bad Times at El Royale" is a film to watch, but with reservations, meaning it doesn't reach its aspired level.
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Summary by Bot
Bad Times at El Royale is an ambitious thriller set in a mysterious hotel where seven strangers confront their pasts. The film’s direction and 60s atmosphere stand out, but some characters feel underdeveloped. Strong performances by Jeff Bridges and others contrast with weaker roles from Dakota Johnson and Chris Hemsworth. While entertaining, the movie doesn't fully deliver on its promise, making it a worthy watch with reservations.
