Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- oppressive
- dread-filled
- late night viewing
- serious film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a chilling, sharply observed thriller about outback alcohol culture and the everyday violence of misogynistic masculinity, though some found its dread overextended.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Royal Hotel becomes an enclosed pressure cooker for Hanna and Liv as unruly patrons and alcohol-fueled masculinity intensify their vulnerability.
The film examines chauvinist local behavior, sexual harassment, and the minor but devastating terrors endured by women.
Hanna and Liv rely on their friendship while trying to assert themselves and remain safe in the remote bar.
The pub's lively atmosphere progressively shifts into a situation outside the backpackers' control.
Films like The Royal Hotel, and why
Wake in Fright
shared outback isolation, alcohol-fueled menace, and escalating dread
The Assistant
shared feminist perspective on violent masculinity, workplace threat, and psychological tension
Calibre
shared female friendship, hostile social environments, and sustained survival thriller tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Kitty Green
- Release Date
- 2023-10-06
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (289)
Cast
- Julia Garner
- Jessica Henwick
- Hugo Weaving
- Daniel Henshall
- Ursula Yovich
- Toby Wallace
- James Frecheville
- Herbert Nordrum
- Alex Malone
- Barbara Lowing
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Royal Hotel about?
- Two backpackers working in an isolated Australian pub confront a culture of alcohol-fueled male aggression that turns a holiday job into a fight for control.
- What is The Royal Hotel like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Royal Hotel as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Royal Hotel violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Royal Hotel as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Royal Hotel?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a chilling, sharply observed thriller about outback alcohol culture and the everyday violence of misogynistic masculinity, though some found its dread overextended.
- Which films are like The Royal Hotel?
- Films with a similar feel include Wake in Fright, The Assistant, and Calibre.
- How long is The Royal Hotel?
- The Royal Hotel runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Royal Hotel?
- In United States, The Royal Hotel streams on Hulu.
