After running out of money while backpacking in a tiny, male-dominated town in the Australian outback, two friends resort to a working holiday at the Royal Hotel. When the locals' behavior starts crossing the line, the girls find themselves trapped in an unnerving situation that grows rapidly out of their control.
Two backpacker friends, Hanna and Liv, run out of money while traveling through the remote Australian Outback. They take a job working in a local pub called The Royal Hotel, owned by a man named Billy. What starts as a seemingly easy way to earn cash quickly devolves into a tense and claustrophobic situation as they navigate the complex social dynamics and potential dangers of the isolated community.
The Royal Hotel received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric tension, strong performances, and exploration of themes like isolation and exploitation. Some found the pacing deliberate, but the film was largely commended for its unsettling portrayal of a specific social environment.
Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's effective creation of a tense atmosphere and the compelling performances, particularly from the lead actors. Some viewers found the slow burn pacing to be a strength, while others felt it could be too understated at times.
Director Kitty Green drew inspiration for the film from a 2019 documentary she made about bar staff in the Australian Outback, 'Hotel Coolgardie'.
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