Bad Times at the El Royale Finds New Audiences in 2026

14 January 2026 Film

A Hidden Gem Emerges from the Shadows

Bad Times at the El Royale, a 2018 American neo-noir thriller written, directed, and produced by Drew Goddard, starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, and Chris Hemsworth, follows six strangers and an employee at the El Royale hotel along the California–Nevada border. The film is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with recent broadcasts on Film4 and streaming availability on Disney+ introducing the stylish thriller to new audiences.

Why the Film Matters

Set in 1969, the film revolves around strangers staying at the El Royale, a once-popular but now essentially deserted hotel, including a Catholic priest, a soul singer, a travelling salesman, two hippie sisters and the hotel’s desk clerk. The film explores themes of morality, faith, and redemption, with the state border and other visual elements symbolizing the concept of right and wrong.

Holding a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie earned solid reviews but was not a box office hit. The film underperformed at the box office, grossing $31.8 million against its $32 million production budget. The thriller was released around the same time as blockbusters A Star is Born, Halloween and Venom, making it difficult for the more original El Royale to break through.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Despite underperforming, it received positive reviews from critics, who praised the soundtrack, performances of the cast, and cinematography. The film received five nominations at the 45th Saturn Awards, winning Best Thriller Film, and holds a solid 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The ensemble cast, twisty time-shuffling screenplay, beautiful period decor and highly stylised direction make it a must-watch for fans of Quentin Tarantino’s work. For viewers seeking intelligent, character-driven thrillers with visual flair, Bad Times at the El Royale represents a compelling rediscovery—proving that sometimes, hidden gems just need time to find their audience.