The Church of Tarantino Tarantinoesque Film Review 8: Bad Times at the El Royale
Aug 29, 2025
Join DeVaughn Taylor, a film enthusiast from the Specter Cinema Club and Tainted Love podcasts, as he dissects the neo-noir thriller 'Bad Times at the El Royale.' They explore its Tarantino-esque qualities, irregular narrative structure, and character development, particularly of the bellhop, Miles. DeVaughn shares insights on upcoming horror projects and delves into how Gen Z uniquely engages with films. The conversation also plays with themes of morality, choice, and the film's intricate production design, revealing its deeper connections to classic genre filmmaking.
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Drew Goddard's Uneven Directing
- Drew Goddard is a strong genre writer with credits across sci-fi and horror, yet his directorial output is limited.
- Bad Times at the El Royale showcases his style but feels stiffer than his best scripts.
Guest's First And Second Watches
- DeVaughn first watched the film on October 12, 2018 and initially liked it more than on rewatch.
- On his recent rewatch he found the film thinner and less enjoyable, dropping his score.
Tighten Long Scenes
- Trim repetitive sequences to tighten pacing, especially long musical takes and protracted check-in banter.
- Reducing runtime to around 115–125 minutes would strengthen momentum.