Parents' Guide to

Bad Times at the El Royale

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Dark, violent crime movie has some inspired moments.

Movie R 2018 141 minutes
Bad Times at the El Royale Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 12 parent reviews

LAbeast
LAbeast Adult
March 22, 2020
age 2+

fabulous

great

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Mataeka
Mataeka Adult
March 8, 2020
age 18+
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, it's 1969, and several people arrive at the El Royale Hotel, which is on the border between California and Nevada. The group includes traveling salesman Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), forgetful priest Father Flynn (Jeff Bridges), struggling singer Darlene Sweet (Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo, of Broadway's The Color Purple), and the mysterious Emily (Dakota Johnson), who appears to have kidnapped a young woman (Cailee Spaeny). They all check in with clerk Miles (Lewis Pullman), who seems to be running the entire hotel by himself. Once the guests lock their doors, the truth begins to come out. Nothing is as it seems, and shady secrets abound. But everything changes when magnetic cult leader Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth) turns up. In a violent showdown, all secrets will be revealed.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12):
Kids say (8):

Part Agatha Christie and part Quentin Tarantino, this multi-character crime/chamber piece is too long, with too many stops and starts, but it has enough inspired moments to make it worth a look. Written and directed by Drew Goddard, Bad Times at the El Royale starts with a bang -- a flashback featuring Nick Offerman -- and then slows down for a long time. More flashbacks have the effect of stopping the movie dead in its tracks. And, despite the presence of such commanding actors as Hamm, Bridges, and Hemsworth, the characters are somehow a little flat.

But the movie is cleverly designed, with a fascinating use of space and sound. A sequence involving a kind of secret room is mesmerizing, especially when it involves Darlene. She's a real surprise in that she's actually not a criminal, though she certainly has a troubled past. When she cuts loose and sings in her room, all the characters stop and listen. The movie's canny use of echoey sound makes her songs all the more heartbreaking. The other ace in the hole is Miles, played by Bill Pullman's son, Lewis. Even though his flashback/origin story comes late in the film, his dark secrets are worth waiting for.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Bad Times at the El Royale's violence. Does the exaggerated nature make it more thrilling? More shocking? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • How are drinking, smoking, and drug use portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?

  • Which of the characters would you say are good people? How can you tell? Are some characters likable even if they've done bad things or have a dark past?

  • Have you ever had a big secret? Would you ever share it? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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