The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams, straddle state lines with this week’s review of Bad Times at the El Royale (2018). Set in a rundown casino hotel where almost nothing is as it seems, the film features a number of familiar faces including Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson and Chris Hemsworth. It also marks a career-making turn from Cynthia Erivo, who also makes a splash in Widows (2018) next month.
Written, directed and produced by former Daredevil showrunner Drew Goddard, Bad Times at the El Royale includes twist upon twist and is sure to keep you guessing until the end. In spite of its dark subject matter, the film manages to captivate and delight throughout its two-hour-plus runtime.