The Royal Hotel Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two broke backpackers decide the best way to solve their financial problems is to work at a bar filled with potentially dangerous strangers in the middle of nowhere, and then things escalate, probably because they ordered the wrong type of beer.

🍿 The Royal Hotel: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Backpacking in Australia: An Unexpected Job

Hanna and Liv, two young backpackers, find themselves short on funds while traveling in Australia. Eager to continue their adventure, they accept a live-in bartending job at ‘The Royal Hotel,’ a remote pub in the Outback. Liv sees it as an exciting opportunity, while Hanna is more hesitant about the isolated location and the unknown.

Culture Shock and Growing Unease

Upon arriving, the girls are immediately thrown into a boisterous environment filled with rough-and-tumble miners and locals. Hanna is particularly disturbed by the pervasive sexism, inappropriate jokes, and aggressive behavior of the pub’s patrons. Liv, on the other hand, attempts to embrace the local culture and brushes off Hanna’s concerns, leading to tension between the two friends.

Escalating Tensions and a Final Stand

As their time at the Royal Hotel continues, the atmosphere becomes increasingly unnerving. Hanna experiences several unsettling encounters, while Liv becomes more entangled with the local miners. When an aggressive encounter pushes Hanna over the edge, and the pub owner refuses to pay them, the situation boils over. Ultimately, the girls make a defiant decision that changes everything.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hanna (Julia Garner): A cautious backpacker who is increasingly unnerved by the toxic environment of the Royal Hotel.
• Liv (Jessica Henwick): An adventurous backpacker who initially dismisses the dangers of the Royal Hotel, leading to conflict with Hanna.
• Billy (Hugo Weaving): The alcoholic owner of the Royal Hotel, whose behavior contributes to the increasingly hostile atmosphere.
• Dolly (Daniel Henshall): A menacing local at the Royal Hotel whose disturbing actions escalate the tension for Hanna and Liv.
• Teeth (James Frecheville): A local miner who becomes entangled in the escalating conflict at the Royal Hotel with his own possessive motivations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hanna: “I just have a bad feeling about this place.” – Hanna expresses her initial unease upon arriving at the Royal Hotel, foreshadowing the escalating tension and danger.
• Liv: “It’s just a bit of culture shock, that’s all.” – Liv dismisses Hanna’s concerns, downplaying the inappropriate behavior as simply a difference in culture.
• Carol: “You’ll get a bit of extra male attention out there.” – The employment agent warns them of what to expect, hinting at the objectification they will face.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $780,263
• Worldwide Gross: $1,366,715

💥 The Royal Hotel Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of indie thrillers, I was excited to see ‘The Royal Hotel’. While Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick are great, the film left me feeling a bit empty. The suspense builds nicely, but it never really explodes. I loved the gritty atmosphere of the Outback pub and the sense of isolation. The scenes where Hanna is constantly on edge really resonated with me. While the ending was a bit abrupt, it did leave me thinking about the film’s themes of female resilience. I wish it had a little more punch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick”
  • “Viewers interested in social thrillers exploring gender dynamics”
  • “Those who appreciate slow-burn character studies”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films set in unique and remote locations”
  • “Those interested in films dealing with themes of toxic masculinity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Threatening situations”
  • “Implied sexual harassment”
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief gore”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Kitty Green crafts a palpable atmosphere of dread, highlighting the isolation and vulnerability of the protagonists. The film deftly explores themes of toxic masculinity and the challenges women face in male-dominated environments, creating a truly unnerving cinematic experience. The direction and the cinematography is very effective.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Julia Garner and Jessica Henwick deliver strong performances, capturing the nuances of their characters’ evolving relationship. The Royal Hotel creates a slow-burn tension, yet ultimately falls short of delivering a truly gripping climax, leaving viewers with unanswered questions and a sense of frustration.
• RogerEbert.com: “While well-acted and visually striking, The Royal Hotel struggles to find its footing. The film presents an intriguing premise but meanders without a clear sense of purpose. The slow pace and lack of suspense culminate in an unsatisfying ending that fails to resonate emotionally or thematically.

Audience Reactions

The movie is boring with bad characters and many viewers felt that nothing happened.: Julia Garner’s and Jessica Henwick’s performances were excellent, bringing authenticity to their characters.

Great setting for building tension.: The film does an excellent job in showing the dangers women have to be careful with in society.

Overall Consensus: The Royal Hotel delivers a tense atmosphere and strong performances, but its slow pace and underwhelming climax divide audiences and critics alike.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is inspired by the 2016 documentary ‘Hotel Coolgardie’, which explored similar themes of isolation and toxic masculinity in remote Australian pubs.”
• “Director Kitty Green aimed for a realistic portrayal of the Outback environment and the culture within the pub, emphasizing the slow-burn tension and unease rather than jump scares or overt violence.”
• “Filming took place at Adelaide Studios for the interior bar scenes, with the intention of capturing the claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere of the Royal Hotel.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Royal Hotel?

As of November 2024, “The Royal Hotel” is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services. Some cable providers may also offer on-demand access.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Royal Hotel, you might like these similar films:

• Wake in Fright (1971): Explores the harsh realities and psychological impact of the Australian Outback, focusing on themes of isolation and the descent into madness.
• Straw Dogs (1971): Similar in that it depicts the escalating tension and violence faced by outsiders in a remote, hostile community, though in a different setting.
• The Assistant (2019): Also directed by Kitty Green, it explores themes of toxic work environments and female vulnerability in the face of male dominance, but in a corporate setting.
• Promising Young Woman (2020): Deals with themes of misogyny and female rage, but in a more modern and stylized revenge thriller format.
• Hotel Coolgardie (2016): As the source material, it presents a real-life account of women working in an isolated Australian pub and the challenges they face, providing a more direct and disturbing comparison.

🛒 The Royal Hotel Related Products

• Australia Outback Survival Kit: A comprehensive survival kit that includes essentials for navigating the harsh Australian Outback, such as a satellite communicator, first aid supplies, high SPF sunscreen, water purification tablets, and a detailed map of the region. Be prepared for any emergency with this all-in-one kit.
• Ozark: The Complete Series (Blu-ray): Relive Julia Garner’s award-winning performance as Ruth Langmore in the critically acclaimed crime drama ‘Ozark.’ This complete series Blu-ray collection includes every episode and behind-the-scenes content for fans of intense, character-driven storytelling.
• Australian Slang Dictionary: Learn the lingo of the Outback with this comprehensive dictionary of Australian slang. From ‘arvo’ to ‘woop woop,’ master the colorful language and impress the locals. Includes etymological insights and cultural context.
• Hugo Weaving Movie Collection: Explore Hugo Weaving’s diverse career with this digital collection featuring iconic roles in ‘The Matrix’, ‘Lord of the Rings’, and other critically acclaimed films. Experience the breadth of his talent in various genres and character types.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Royal Hotel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Down Under (Luude Remix)” – performed by Luude

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Underrated Movies of 2023

Ever wonder if The Royal Hotel got the attention it deserved? This video lists it as one of the most underrated movies of 2023 – see what other gems you might have missed!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VydgUoJsuX4

The Royal Hotel Exclusive Movie Clip – Cider (2023)

Want a sneak peek of the intense atmosphere in The Royal Hotel? Check out this exclusive clip featuring Jessica Henwick and Julia Garner – it’s sure to give you chills!

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