Bad Times at the El Royale

Perhaps the most insufferable Tarantino knockoff since the 90s.

At some point during this logy 2-hour-and-21-minute exercise you want something more substantial than even Hemsworth's admittedly mesmerizing snaky hips.

An extremely well-directed film.

It's a best-of-the-'60s jukebox, but it has a few hit tunes among the duds, and some enjoyable surprise B-sides that you really don't expect Goddard to spin.

The performances are all top-notch, especially from Erivo and Bridges. And Pullman's gradual emergence as someone who is more than a motel clerk is an eye-opener.

Every puzzle piece clicks together smoothly, and while there is joy in watching everything fit, the film feels like there's something missing. It lacks true substance. It's all aesthetics, no guts. But damn if the "Bad Times" aren't beautiful to watch.

Phenomenal cast, with outstanding performances from everyone. A lost narrative structure is brought back to elevate a brilliant R-rated mystery, filled with memorable scenes and a fantastic score.

Bad Times at the El Royale is a movie best seen cold, without foreknowledge of its major reveals...

[Bad Times at the El Royale] delivers from start to finish and will have you wanting more once it ends.

Goddard deftly maneuvers his unconventional narrative while playing with time, tinkering with points of view, and tossing in a MacGuffin or two.