Bad Times At The El Royale reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@dstrachan990]

Cynthia Erivo's face off with Chris Hemsworth towards the end was worth the price of admission alone

[@isabellamorris7902]

Cynthia Erivo is an intensely powerful actress. She was brilliant in Widows too

[@dstrachan990]

@@isabellamorris7902 I agree! Wasn't a huge fan of Widows but probably would have enjoyed it more if she'd shown up earlier. Great actress

[@isabellamorris7902]

@@dstrachan990 She has an incredibly commanding presence - watching her face off against Viola Davis was such a highlight

[@dstrachan990]

@@isabellamorris7902 I agree. She really stole the show in 'Bad Times At The El Royale' - that moment with Chris Hemsworth at the end was probably the scene of the year for me

[@isabellamorris7902]

@WesIsaLeo Oh, come off it. Whatever you think about her acting, you have to admit the woman can sing - and I don't think that's a fair assessment of her performance in the movie either. I (and Kermode, and quite a few others) thought she was at least believable. (She plays a different character in 'Widows', who is also well-realised and separate from her character here.)

[@AlBerto-sm2ob]

I made that sound at THAT moment as well!! It completely shocked me and you are correct. It was the acting that had me connected. Loved it!!!

[@acidarrow]

100% agree that the performances really held it together because for me the pacing was all off, a lot of the dialogue was contrived and even though she had a great voice, I think there was at least one too many drawn-out scenes of Cynthia Erivo singing acapella. In conclusion: more Jon Hamm please!

[@niallh4194]

I loved it through and through. Length was my only problem, I really liked the all out messiness that comes out in the end, I thought it brought a depth and conclusion to each of the characters and felt very suspenseful. I thought the way, the violence and emotion that started to unfold in the third act was depply engrossing and I loved it. In the minority but I thought it worked.

[@bobthegrinch]

I loved the film. One of my favourites of the year.

[@cymrujon5902]

Just back from watching it and have to say really enjoyed it, some great camera work, classy soundtrack and strong performances from the whole cast, particularly enjoyed Jon Hamm, kept me guessing throughout.

[@josephhead9386]

Just got home from seeing it and one of the biggest things I got from it was how fantastic Lewis Pullman's performance was. Definitely going to be keeping an eye on him in the future as well as looking at his previous films.

[@pamelaatkinsonscats2873]

Joseph Head Yes, I agree, his performance was very good. I was moved by his character. I haven't heard of him before.

[@drjwww]

Odd thing is, it seems Pullman's part was originally offered to Tom Holland, who passed on it. Given what we eventually learn about Pullman's character, I can see why Holland passed-- he simply would've been too young for that revelation. Pullman's much closer to the right age for it.

[@DrGregoryHouseIT]

@@drjwww And Pullman played a teenager earlier this year in 'The Strangers: Prey At Night'. XD

[@pseudonymousbeing987]

@@drjwww It's funny that. They look strikingly alike Tom and Lewis. I could see Tom in the role but I Lewis was the perfect choice and killed it.

[@georgemoseley9277]

so saw this today instead of venom. I made the right choice

[@angele7271]

George Moseley I’m going later today, is it worth the watch lol?

[@megamoviez]

@@angele7271 Bad Times I'm guessing? Hell yes!

[@brianjones8432]

It's a good watch, but not a great one.... The set design was brilliant, the acting was great, but it definitely could have used some tightening in the pacing department. They could have lopped off about 20 minutes on the run time and it would have been perfect. I still think Tarantino did a better job executing the same idea in Hateful Eight, but it's certainly still worth a watch.

[@Scotchegz]

Barely.

[@MosesGLive]

I shed tears when Miles was sincerely asking for forgiveness at the end. Great acting Lewis Pullman.

[@HowardWatts1]

I couldn't agree with you more. Your two points, (that scene, and the performances) are exactly why I told my girlfriend I enjoyed the film, last night. I must add, Bridges' character name, Flynn, was a respectful nod which made me smile.

[@ABSOLUTgarbage]

My initial review was a simple "7/10. It's a bit long and takes a while to get going, but if you're into neo-noir mysteries, stylistic direction and cinematography, Motown and Wall of Sound music, and 50s/60s American kitsch aesthetics, then you'll LOVE this film" on my social media... then a couple of days later I followed up with: "I think this might be my favourite movie of the year. I can't say that I definitely LOVED it....., but I can't stop thinking about it. I NEED to watch it again, knowing the mystery and seeing all the cogs and wheels in motion and how it all unfolds to see if I feel the same. "

[@JOXCY]

I know exactly which moment he means when he says he jumped because I nearly had a heart attack when I saw it as well. Goes to show what excellent dialogue and delivery can do for a film.

[@tommy1138]

I liked it too. My 16 year old liked it as well. It's a good movie. Nothing amazing or revolutionary, but like Mark said, it does exactly what it sets out to do. I think it will eventually find an audience on dvd , streaming and cable services. The twists were fun, the setting was great, the acting was top notch and the movie was never predictable. I give it a B+

[@joemanyliberalsalt]

Bad Times is not a horror movie, but he is right. This movie got me more interested and made me scared more (in the sense of caring for the characters and the various sudden scares/turn of events) than The Nun ever did.

[@blackphillip8234]

It's fun but it turns into a mess once Hemsworth arrives at the hotel

[@bebaguette766]

Absolutely. The film switches genres and further slows down. Then the way the conflict is resolved was just outrageously silly.

[@Orrmundur]

Hemsworth was definitely miscast. He's great at comedies but was nowhere near as charming and/or menacing as Billy Lee was clearly meant to be. I feel like a stronger actor could have saved it.

[@Ben_Mdws]

Totally agree.

[@StephenYuan]

@@Orrmundur i agree with everything in this thread

[@StephenYuan]

The script feels like it's meant to be Tarantino knock off but the direction gives it a very different look and feel, so it manages to be its own thing.

[@ShawNshawN]

It definitely has a Tarantino feel to the film in the cutting. I agree the performances by the actors is great in the film. The pacing seems a bit off and some of the dialogue falls a bit flat. Again, the writing isn't as good as Tarantino. Shock value is awesome, so that timing is spot on for some deaths. I think the focus is a touch off, you might want to check that next time. Thanks for sharing! Hope you get a chance to check my review as well.

[@PhDTony_original]

I really really enjoyed it. The performances are the high point. I'm somewhat insulted by the Tarantino comparisons.

[@thehitherto5348]

Want to watch this one, but each time I read the description I can't help thinking about Identity (2003), although I assume it's quite different.

[@ArlanTLDR]

It's very different, don't worry.

[@starwarsroo2448]

First thing popped in my head. Tje build up to the reveal im that movie was better than the denoucnement

[@The3rdGunman]

It's VERY different from identity. It's more about dissonance, identity, "choice"/choices in life

[@ST-pz4tu]

That's the film! Going mad trying to remember what it reminded me of.

[@chiboy2968]

@@whoknew2273 was that one good? what of identity?

[@disenchanted987]

Never seen Simon more physically animated before

[@artkub5396]

I really hope Simon gets well soon.

[@iolantherosa9333]

It seems like Simon gets seriously ill at least once a year. I do worry about him. He seems delicate.

[@CasperLabuschagne]

Crickey, if Mark Kermode says a movie is excellent, that movie invariably falls into my category as a strange movie. But if Mark Kermode says, "this is a strange movie", I have to worry and worry a lot. ;-)

[@colinbooth2421]

Great to hear Mark reacting to this film the same way I did. I have bought the DVD for others.

[@georgeabrahams4076]

I pretty much love it, I love the execution, the acting, the writting and how crazy everythings, but make sense in this weird reality

[@fivesecondfilmreviews762]

Golden rule: beware of films whose trailers feature the director/actors talking about how great the film is.

[@markusbisma5015]

The trailer badly misled me into expecting a different movie. I probably could enjoy the movie more had I didn't see the trailer

[@fivesecondfilmreviews762]

@@markusbisma5015 Probably not a bad shout! More and more I find myself avoiding trailers...

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s runtime maybe long, however the film’s well acted, well written, stylish, intriguing & is A well directed thriller. (79%) (4/5 stars) (positive)

[@jimmygoodman7995]

I think this is one of the best and underrated films of the year

[@gp4060]

Highlighted comment G P It's definitely not a movie for everyone, in other words a conventional traditional movie, convoluted plot, slow character build up, starts slow and saves most action for the last act, but it is made in a kind of old school way, so you really have to appreciate it in the way it was meant to be, it really doesn't stack up with the way current movies are being directed, but that's what makes it stand apart. You really have to give credit to the actors, the acting will not let you down, as for the story it might be slightly silly, but remember that the storyline is meant to be in a different era, when a lot of things didn't make much sense. I enjoyed it and would watch it again, the soundtrack is a throwback to the golden era, nostalgic but really good music

[@rayzrealm]

*Introducing Cynthia Erivo to cinema folks. I hope you are all ready.* #freshmanvet

[@edp5409]

She's good.

[@benjwilliams98]

Really want to see this film! Loved Cabin in The Woods and a huge Drew Goddard fan. He's also the Creator of the Netflix Daredevil Series! I worship him. (also he's the screenwriter of 10 Cloverfield Lane)

[@Clay3613]

Cabin In The Woods is mean-spirited garbage.

[@jd899]

I hope to see it soon.

[@Clay3613]

Just is, nobody in the movie is likeable and the tonal shift is awful. Plus tons of awful CGI.

[@cognitivedissonance8406]

Clay3613 “Just is.” Yeah, take your toddler opinion and leave the film appreciation and criticism to adults.

[@Clay3613]

I gave you a reason after the two words you moron. Someone can't read.

[@yv3652]

Where can I buy a microphone extinguisher?

[@susanburgess820]

Excellent review per usual. I really liked the movie, esp the part where chris hemsworth does his charles manson thing. Spot on about the overlook hotel feeling. I felt that same creepy feeling too.❤

[@aadityabhattacharya]

3:36 u an feel the self loathing at Mark's voice

[@healthyholemealbread]

El Royale with Cheese! I wonder how long it took Kermode to think of that one hehe good joke though!

[@hellojonnyhoskinghello]

Reminded me of my pick n’ mix I was eating at the time: fun at first, had some exciting stuff in it but all in all, a pretty mixed bag.

[@Juicys78]

I have to agree with Kermode...at first I was sitting wondering what I was watching and then it hooked me...and the acting is superb. Personally I feel tarrantino has become a parody of himself and the greats days of the 90s have long since passed. Maybe someone could send him a tape of this and remind him how to make a movie without needing some shock brutal violence and potty mouth chunder

[@euansmith3699]

I jumped at THAT moment too.

[@oo1721]

Bottle or door?

[@euansmith3699]

Bottle, definitely; though, now you mention it, I jumped at the door too. That bottle though, completely caught me off guard. :D

[@robwheeler7348]

Just got home from seeing it, found it a bit slow moving, and some of the plot threads didn't seem to go anywhere either that or I must've tuned out for lack of an interesting and cohesive narrative. Found myself wanting something more sinister going on behind the scenes. Really liked the trailer, but felt the film was too long and didn't really deliver.

[@Greylin91]

I disagree with a lot of comments here, I found the first half of the first to be drag and i didn't find the characters that interesting. Some of the singing scenes were just a bit too long for my taste. I find the two sisters as characters as a bit too unbelieveble, for example (spoilers coming) - when Hamm's character is killed the reaction of the younger sister is completely indifferent. As if a murdered police officer in her room is just another day at the office. I felt that was unnatural and it takes me out of the film, even the most nihilistic will start worrying about spending the rest of their life in prison. I didn't really find the thread that Mark enjoys in the scene between the Priest and the Singer either, i felt it was trying hard in places but than pulling away as if the writers were being serious at points but than felt insecure about making too much of a point and so pulled back into cheese. Having said that, whilst I felt bored in some places, i found bits and pieces quite good. It's probably worth a watch during these short days. I'll give it a 6/10.

[@TroyTempest63]

4:27 Down in front.

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

I’m with Mark, though I want to see it again before I fully make up my mind.

[@schmoab]

What was this movie about? Spoilers Was it about the guilt of war? Redemption? Revenge for abuse? Did the Maguffin film have any significance other than to get Jon Hamm’s character into the motel? I thought the first half was really great, then the third act was some other movie I wasn’t terribly interested in.

[@BugRacer1955]

Actually thought this was a Tarantino film up until the end credits...

[@chessmoon]

from the trailer i got Identity, And Then There Were None.

[@ianmilne9633]

Agree with the Identity point quiet similar.

[@forfoxxsake8170]

It's nice to see Jeff drop that mumble speech

[@albertthedragon2075]

I really enjoyed this.

[@ernesthemmingway3975]

Save your money. Never seen a more contrived and convoluted. Had potential for the first bit. Very long too

[@pintpot]

4:04 - 4:23 Flappy hands

[@trexguy]

Who doesn’t like Jeff Bridges?!

[@happyhouston11]

Want to see this

[@edp5409]

save your dime. it sucks.

[@kennyp9616]

Jeff was good as he usually is.

[@JapanJohnny2012]

3:03 hipster photo bomb event! rad!!

[@johnbarnes888]

The Doc really has a thing about Tarantino. I don't know what his beef is. QT's last three films have been a slam dunk of high calibre celluloid. Strange that the Doc didn't fawn over The Hateful Eight as it oozed classical cinema goodness.

[@bebaguette766]

Just saw it and almost liked it, but think it's a total mess. The first half is quick and exciting, the second one slows down and loses its charm and at the end the film becomes terrible schlock. Hemsworth really brought it down, despite his wonderful physique. Disappointed, as the premise would suggest my kind of movie, but it ended up as a somewhat generic thriller. One thing'a for certain: Jon Hamm is fantastic and needs more quality leading roles.

[@Onmysheet]

Jon Hamm in Black Mirror was great.

[@mattmaloney4014]

Funny. I just saw Jeremy Jahns review of it and he said it was at it's best at the end once Hemsworth's character has been introduced because that was the first time it slowed down enough to keep track of what was going on. I haven't seen it so I can't provide my own opinion but that's just interesting to me.

[@bebaguette766]

@@mattmaloney4014 it's when the film becomes the trashiest and full of senseless action, so no doubt Jahns enjoyed it. Maybe he associated Hemsworth with Thor and thus enjoyed his performance more (in the sense that his favorite hero plays a villain). Hell if I know, but Jahns' taste is usually quite low-brow and mainstream and anything slow is often treated as somethinf boring or pretentious.

[@guest_informant]

Pretty much. Go and see the first half then leave. But see if you can catch the catfight scene on youtube because there's something in that. Otherwise, yes, it's a total mess.

[@redsands1001]

Matt Maloney oh yeah. he even calls himself out as not really being a movie critic at the end of that review lol. Surprising to me another review crew who usually only loves action movies really enjoyed this and especially the first two thirds. An early review from professional film journalists who liked the movie said this read going to be a love or hate for a lot of people and it's interesting seeing some of the conflicting reasons for and against

[@justmadeit2]

I wrote a poem in good humour about Mark Kermode, to see it, simply just type in the search bar above this title........My Ode to Kermode

[@thatpeterboy]

A very strangely compelling film...weird but I enjoyed it.

[@Thomas15]

The film had me until the final act. It's a good film that could have been two great films. One about the hotel, its history and mysterious management. Another about two sisters fleeing a Jonestown-style cult.

[@ComedyBros5]

While I agree it could have been 2 films, I think the way it played out worked. I think they could have easily kept Jon Hamm’s character alive and really dive deep into all the past of the hotel. Though Hemsworth and Johnson’s performances were great, their stories weren’t fit for this movie

[@PinkflyingAvocado]

Was great. First act was great and the second half was ok. Hemsworth’s character needed more to be honest, although he was decent enough. Johnson ended up bringing the film down a bit to be honest. She was the weakest part. Overall I enjoyed it, pretty decent

[@beisballdad1983]

Good movie! I recommend it

[@lucasm3879]

Not a classic by any means but worth a watch. I think Hemsworth was mis cast as the cult leader though. He's just not convincing bad guy material to me. Also why was his torso so honed like a modern day action hero? Gym going wasn't a past time in 1969 like it is now!

[@masteroogway6660]

The first half is amazing, intruiging and well paced, then the second half becomes hilariously bad, and the falls off a cliff and become derivative tarantino nothingness

[@Ben_Mdws]

Was hoping this would be as weird and wonderful as Cabin In The Woods, and it really wasn’t.

[@boquintana9668]

Great first 30-35 minutes. HORRIBLE score, sloppy ending. Performances were above average.

[@jaceace8335]

Thought it was super slow and disappointing, with not much pay off in the end.

[@onlyadamrosa]

watched this a couple nights ago on disney+ and I was so disappointed. Such good scores on imdb and rotton tomatoes, loads of critics love it, cool trailer... Terrible pacing, nothing I've not seen somewhere else done better, weird tone, good soundtrack but nothing you've not heard before on a greates hits of the 60s/ 70s playlist. Great opening set- up that, over a plodding 2 and a half hours, is forgotten about by the end which has little to no pay off. When CH arrives he slows the pace down even more to an absolute crawl and that alone does not tension make. Feels like Goddard got the chance to write and direct his own film without anyone else sharing one of those responsibilites so he wrote a first draft and thought "yup, that's it!" and filmed every single word he wrote when it could've done with an editor giving it a twice over. Have seen some people praise a scene towards the end where Erivo faces off with Hemsworth, saying something about how she's heard it all before and he's just another man who wont shut up. I feel like Goddard should have taken a moment after writing that then taken his own advice cos everything she says is spot on- we've heard it all before! But you still made us sit through it and watch Hemsworth ask for answers that we the audience already have, like some weird 15 minute recap for your friend with great abs who walked in just before the end.

[@ianmilne9633]

Very good movie has Jeff Bridges ever been in a bad movie?🤔

[@Onmysheet]

The movie isn't groundbreaking in the writing department as it felt too dragged on with too much back story and it's underwhelming ending.

[@soulbronumberone]

Great movie!

[@AntonBaumgartner]

And again ! I should have spared myself from the comment section!

[@rickeybrown9563]

I thought this movie was very good

[@confucius12012]

Sorry, Kermode. You're getting soft. This movie was complete garbage. I thought I was watching the movie Identity from 2003 which was a much better movie than this one but still average. You disappoint me K-mode.

[@unhallowed45]

Starts off great but the second half really dulled the experience.

[@countmichael]

Are you reviewing the movie or just blurting out the entire plot?

[@davidsteel8324]

Saw it today. Very underwhelming.

[@wackywankavator]

Lots of plot development and twists and great dialogue until Chris Hemsworth walks in and says, "Eff it, here's a gunfight". and all the rest of the movie goes away. Meh.

[@fluorosco]

Ooooh

[@chrisg836]

Jeff Bridges character being revealed as the killer at the end was a genuine surprise.

[@brendenkillough]

good movie,ripped off hateful eight too much tho.

[@williamsschmilliams7812]

but the hateful eight ripped off the thing lol

[@brendenkillough]

CDP 2 true ,but not so incredibly obvious

[@pamelaatkinsonscats2873]

Brenden Killough I liked it better than The Hateful Eight.

[@brendenkillough]

kirch true

[@The3rdGunman]

Wasn't like the over rated Hateful 8 at all???

[@colmcq]

Calneva

[@solid072]

I didn´t like that woman singing all the time, it was just boring. Jeff Bridges was flawless.

[@alexives9274]

nothing like a kill bill movie its more of a forgo movie sooo

[@talibanimmigrant2281]

If Tarantino had made this, Kermode would have said it was over long and he didn't like it. There is no getting away from it, the dude is really biased in favour of some people and against others. That doesn't look good on a movie reviewer.

[@hoodyboody]

It looks just fine.

[@euansmith3699]

I agree. Once you know a critics bias, you can really judge their views on a film.

[@Nunyabids]

Chris Hemsworth shouldn’t have been casted

[@backgroundtakeaway]

Lol the Tarantino fetishism by first year film students and my favorite film is fight club """cinephiles""" here

[@BobsonDugnutt1690]

Why does John Hamm sound like a black guy in this ?

[@jacquespoitier9924]

@@stevena3244 - eh?

[@MJSpiderman7116]

selador 1972 “SJW’s” made a white person sound like what this guy thinks a black person sounds like? I don’t see how that makes any sense at all.

[@bowe3west254]

selador 1972 secondly while there are elements of left wing politics that are representative of the values you outlined in your rant and while those sections of the left may have had some affect on previous productions I think you might be overstating there influence in the entertainment industry

[@jacquespoitier9924]

@@stevena3244 - Thankyou. I was hoping for a bonkers response from you, and it ended up being even more batshit crazy than expected. And not a brief riposte at all! Two thumbs up!

[@iainclark6210]

This movie blows it is just a weak Tarantino copy with no substance or plot o follow

[@Dirkschneider]

A pretentious turd of a film.

[@therebel2552]

Sorry but simon standing in front of the camera repeatedly is so unprofessional. He must know this is recorded and posted online each week. His movements stunk of ego. A new rookie would be told not to do what he did , yet he thinks he is above that?

[@robaquarian]

Terrible movie

[@windydiamond7851]

Who cares what you think about it Wannabe! You're not a world-reknowned movie aficionado or critic for that matter. Leave it to the professionals.

[@alex-oy9eo]

nobody asked