Bad Times at the El Royale was… in fact, a great time.
With deft camera work, carefully segmented storytelling and an intriguing setting the film tells a harrowing tale shrouded in mystery, as the film progresses more and more of the film's questions are answered. Unfortunately, this is where the film falters. after constructing a very convincingly bleak view of the world in the noir tradition, the film overplays its hand in the last thirty minutes or so, revealing too much. The ending feels too pointed for noir, wanting to give more closure than really works for the subject matter. Were the film able to restrain itself and achieve a more ambiguous ending, I think it would have taken up more space in my head after the credits rolled. Nevertheless, it was a great ride and felt fresh. More like this please.
9/10 That sound design though.
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