Bad Times at the El Royale Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A priest, a singer, a salesman, and a hippie walk into a hotel…and it only gets weirder from there, involving cult leaders, hidden cameras, and lots of secrets.

🍿 Bad Times at the El Royale: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The El Royale and its Guests

In 1969, a diverse group of strangers converges at the El Royale, a once-glamorous hotel straddling the California-Nevada border. Each character arrives with hidden motives and a shrouded past. The initial setup introduces Father Daniel Flynn, Darlene Sweet, Laramie Seymour Sullivan, and Emily Summerspring, along with the hotel’s sole employee, Miles Miller. Their reasons for being at the El Royale are far from simple, hinting at deeper secrets.

Secrets Unveiled

As the night progresses, the true identities and intentions of the guests are revealed. Sullivan is unmasked as an FBI agent, Flynn as a disguised criminal, and the women as fugitives. The hotel itself harbors dark secrets, including hidden passageways and a history of illicit surveillance. These revelations intertwine the characters’ fates, creating a tense and unpredictable atmosphere.

The Arrival of Billy Lee

The arrival of Billy Lee, a charismatic cult leader, escalates the chaos. Lee’s presence introduces violence and psychological manipulation, further complicating the already precarious situation. His pursuit of Emily and her sister Rose brings a new level of danger to the El Royale, transforming the hotel into a battleground of conflicting desires and deadly secrets.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Father Daniel Flynn/Donald O’Kelly (Jeff Bridges): An aging con man posing as a priest, seeking to recover stolen money hidden years ago at the El Royale.
• Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo): A talented singer with a troubled past, seeking a fresh start but drawn into the El Royale’s dangerous secrets.
• Laramie Seymour Sullivan/Dwight Broadbeck (Jon Hamm): An FBI agent undercover as a salesman, tasked with removing surveillance equipment from the El Royale.
• Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson): A determined woman rescuing her sister from a dangerous cult, revealing a protective and violent nature.
• Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth): The charismatic and ruthless cult leader, arriving at the El Royale to reclaim a follower and exert his dominance.
• Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman): The El Royale’s troubled and secretive desk clerk, burdened by a dark past as a Vietnam War sniper.
• Rose Summerspring (Cailee Spaeny): Emily’s younger sister, rescued from Billy Lee’s cult, but remains loyal to him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Father Daniel Flynn: “Miles, I fell down. I’m old. Shit happens, get the whiskey.” – Spoken with humorous resignation after tripping, revealing his flawed and human side.
• Billy Lee: “Are you a lamb or are you a lion?” – Billy Lee asks this question as a means of psychological manipulation within his cult, pushing his followers to be either submissive or violent.
• Darlene Sweet: “I just want to sing.” – Expresses Darlene’s simple, heartfelt desire amidst the chaos and danger, highlighting her innocence.
• Miles Miller: “I did a bad thing.” – Said by Miles reflecting on his dark past as a sniper in Vietnam, revealing the guilt that haunts him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $32,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,839,115
• Worldwide Gross: $31,882,724

💥 Bad Times at the El Royale Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’m not gonna lie, ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ completely blew me away. The setting is fantastic. Each character has their own secrets, and the way their stories intertwine is just brilliant. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Cynthia Erivo’s performance is incredible. The whole movie has a vintage feel and gives you this kind of 70’s vibe.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in ensemble cast performances”
  • “Those who enjoy films with intricate plots and dark humor”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films set in the late 1960s”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Cult themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Goddard creates a stylish and engaging thriller, blending elements of classic noir with a modern sensibility. The performances are uniformly excellent, and the plot twists keep you guessing until the very end. A must-see for fans of suspenseful cinema.
• RogerEbert.com: “Drew Goddard’s ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ is a cinematic tapestry, weaving together multiple storylines with precision and flair. The film’s visual style, coupled with a stellar cast, makes for a compelling and memorable viewing experience. It’s a stylish throwback with a contemporary edge.
• Variety: “The film showcases Goddard’s knack for crafting intricate narratives with memorable characters. While the pacing may test some viewers, the performances and the stunning visuals more than compensate. This film is a bold and ambitious take on the crime thriller genre.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected plot twists and turns kept me guessing until the credits rolled.: Viewers loved the surprises and the way the story unfolded.

The cast delivers an outstanding ensemble performance.: The performances of the actors were widely praised, especially Erivo and Hemsworth.

Overall Consensus: A stylish and suspenseful thriller with a stellar cast and intricate plot, praised for its twists, performances, and retro vibe.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The El Royale was built from scratch on a sound stage, and the set was meticulously designed with a color scheme that divided the California and Nevada sides.”
• “The absence of opening credits (besides the title) contributes to the film’s mysterious and unsettling tone.”
• “Drew Goddard, the writer and director, drew inspiration from Agatha Christie’s “Ten Little Indians” and films by Quentin Tarantino.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bad Times at the El Royale?

Bad Times at the El Royale is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings. Streaming options may vary depending on your region. You can also find it on physical media like Blu-ray and DVD from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bad Times at the El Royale, you might like these similar films:

• Identity (2003): Similar to ‘El Royale,’ ‘Identity’ features a group of strangers trapped in a remote motel during a storm, where secrets and murders begin to unravel.
• The Hateful Eight (2015): Like ‘El Royale,’ ‘The Hateful Eight’ is a contained, character-driven neo-noir thriller with a focus on mystery, violence, and hidden agendas.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): Explores themes of corruption, secrets, and moral ambiguity in 1950s Los Angeles, echoing the underlying darkness of the El Royale’s hidden truths.
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019): Set in 1969 Hollywood, it captures the era’s atmosphere and the sense of cultural shift, similar to how ‘El Royale’ uses its setting to influence the narrative.
• Reservoir Dogs (1992): Known for its ensemble cast of criminals and non-linear storytelling, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ shares thematic elements with ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’

🛒 Bad Times at the El Royale Related Products

• Bad Times at the El Royale [Blu-ray]: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray with behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary. Perfect for reliving the suspense and uncovering hidden details.
• El Royale Hotel Key Chain: A vintage-style key chain featuring the El Royale Hotel logo. A unique collectible item that brings a piece of the movie’s atmosphere into your everyday life.
• 1960s Retro Sunglasses: Recreate the look of the movie with these stylish retro sunglasses. Embrace the fashion of the era and make a bold statement.
• Cult Cinema: An Anthology: A deep dive into the world of cult cinema. Explore similar movies to ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’. Expand your knowledge of cult films and gain new insights into your favorite movies.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bad Times at the El Royale features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “26 Miles (Santa Catalina)” – performed by The Four Preps
• “Hush” – performed by Deep Purple
• “Hold On, I’m Comin'” – performed by Sam & Dave
• “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” – performed by The Isley Brothers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Bad Times At The El Royale reviewed by Mark Kermode

Looking for a thoughtful analysis of Bad Times at the El Royale? Mark Kermode, a renowned film critic, provides an in-depth review of the movie. His insights and expertise will help you understand the film’s nuances and decide if it’s worth your time.

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