I’m genuinely surprised; it feels like I haven’t encountered something quite like this on screen since the 1990s. There are films that come near, but this one really embodies the spirit of clever independent movies from that time. Specifically, I'm talking about a period when studios were investing significantly in those smaller projects—trying to win awards and create fresh content that would appeal to viewers. …

The initial portion offers an intriguing combination reminiscent of films like 'The Hateful Eight' and 'Identity,' but the narrative doesn’t quite assemble enough elements for a satisfying resolution as things progress. It ultimately falls short of delivering on its early promise. 7/10

Drew Goddard’s _Bad Times at the El Royale_ follows _The Cabin in the Woods_, another genre-bending, humorous film from the writer/director who has also contributed to scripts for _Cloverfield_, _World War Z_, and _The Martian_, as well as television shows like _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_, _Angel_, _Alias_, and _Lost_. While both films are stylized genre mashups, _Bad Times_ doesn't quite live up to its predecessor. T…

I’m not usually a fan of storytelling that jumps around in time and feels disjointed—that Tarantino-esque approach rarely clicks with me. However, _Bad Times at the El Royale_ manages to make it work exceptionally well, and succeeds in almost every other aspect as well. Final rating:★★★★ - Very strong appeal. A personal favourite.

_Bad Times At The El Royale_ was truly exceptional. From the initial teaser trailer through the 24th television spot, I found myself completely drawn in. Drew Goddard demonstrated an ability to craft a remarkable and exciting thriller thanks to its superb casting and numerous other strengths. All of those promotional materials created significant anticipation, which made me apprehensive because I dislike building up …