Bad Times at the El Royale is a mystery thriller film, directed by Drew Goddard. Set in an old run down hotel on the California and Nevada border, The El Royale. The El Royale is long past it’s hey day but is still open for business giving guests the option of staying on the California side or the Nevada side. Although neglected, abandoned and barely manned, the hotel is the pivotol place where the paths of seven strangers collide.
Set in 1969, we are introduced to soul singer Darlene Sweet played by Cynthia Erivo, Father Daniel Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges and vacuum cleaner salesman Laramie Seymour Sullivan played Jon Hamm. Lewis Pullman‘s character Miles Miller who plays a young hotel employ introduces the bi-state establishment in a well-rehearsed speech to the new guests. As the story slowly unravels, we are later introduced to Dakota Johnson‘s character Emily Summerspring and Billy Lee played by none-other than Chris Hemsworth. Although all of the actors were impressive in their roles, it is Hemsworth that steals the screen with his captivating yet commanding presence, long blonde hair and chiseled bod.
Everything is not what it seems at the El Royale. Everyone’s got a secret and it’s not long before we start to learn what really happens behind the scenes. After each dramatic turn of events, we’re taken into the past of each character, introducing us to who they are and what makes them tick, giving great insight as to why each character has arrived at the El Royale on this fateful evening.
There isn’t much that can really be said about each of the film’s characters without giving too much of the plot away. That being said (or not said) the cinematography is wonderful with each of the dramatic scene intensified by torrential rain and dark lighting. I also loved the use of the non-linear narrative. I was extremely excited to see Bad Times at the El Royale and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You might even say that I had a ‘Good Time’.